June 02 2004
Team Release

After qualifying 17th on Saturday, Gary started the race at the back of the field because of work that needed to be done on the car after qualifying. The team uncovered a bent upper control arm, causing the car to turn poorly, so for safety reasons, the team was permitted to change out the arm.

In true, St. Amant fashion, Gary had worked his way up to 9th, feeling that the car was coming to him, as the sun was going down, and the track cooled. That contented feeling was not to last. During a caution, the shifter stuck in 3rd, and on the restart, as Gary attempted to get the car into 4th gear, it was apparent the shifter linkage had broken. The #11 Bullet Racing/JEGS.com Chevrolet was brought to pit road for repairs, and the team quickly got Gary back out onto the track. However, the bad karma was to continue, and on lap 158, the engine gave out.

“My crew gave me an incredibly fast four tire stop, and though we were a lap down, I really thought the car had enough to give us at least a top ten finish,” St. Amant stated. “Mechanical failures are a part of racing, but very disappointing, not only for me, but for the team, and our fans.”

There were numerous St. Amant fans on hand, many of whom where sporting JEGS ball caps which were handed out during the on-track autograph session prior to the start of the race.

The team headed back to Cleveland, pulled the engine, and has begun to prepare for the next event in Salem, Indiana.