Tony Raines Michigan Race Report

Brooklyn, MI-Tony Raines and the No. 33 Bayer Consumer Care Racing team left Michigan International Speedway after the NAPAOnline.com 250 with plenty of things to be happy about. The Aleve machine was very fast all weekend in practice. In qualifying they had a speed fast enough to put them in the top ten on the starting grid, and they collected another top- five finish for the year. This moved them back into the fifth position in the point standings.

"I have a really good feeling about this race today," crew chief Michael Kadlecik said. "We have a lot of things on our side today, and we know we are going to be good. Just look at our practice and qualifying times."

Raines started the race in the ninth position and was quick to show what a great car he had. By lap 17, Raines had already gained three positions to be in sixth. He radioed into the crew that the car was a little tight in turns three and four, and descent in turns one and two. The crew wasn't that concerned about the problem, because the problem could change if track conditions changed.

On lap 48, while running in seventh, Raines came into pit under caution. The Bayer Consumer Care Racing team put on four new tires and topped off the fuel. An incredible 16.2-second pit stop put Raines back into the race in the fourth position, gaining three spots.

Raines radioed into the crew that the car felt good, but was still a little tight. He lost one position and dropped back to fifth when another caution came on lap 83. He came in for his routine pit stop and the Bayer Consumer Care Racing team had another outstanding performance in the pits, but this time was faster. With a 15.3-second pit stop, Raines found himself in the third spot, behind leaders Ryan Newman and Kevin Harvick.

On lap 98, Raines fell back to the fourth place when Jimmy Spencer passed him. The gap between first and fourth was 5.3-seconds and the leaders were very much spread out until the caution for debris came out on lap 112.

"The caution is what we need," crew chief Michael Kadlecik said. "Tony says the car is still a little tight. We're just as fast as the second and third place cars, but we have nothing for Newman. I don't think anyone does at this point. We're in the top five so far and that's what we wanted with this car."

After the restart, Raines stayed behind third place Jimmy Spencer, but on lap 119 was able to get by him. Raines remained in his spot and went on to finish the race in the third, while Ryan Newman went on to win.

"What a great day," Raines said after the race. "With the exception of the car being somewhat tight, it was very fast. The Bayer Consumer Care Racing team did a great job in the pits. Their  pit strategy really gave us an advantage. We really needed this top-five finish."