David Gilliland

David Gilliland, No. 34 Ford

Starting Position: 41

Finishing Position: 33
 

The NASCAR Sprint Cup Series went racing on a Monday, as Sunday rains pushed the Heluva Good! Sour Cream Dips at the Glen back a day.  With rainclouds still threatening as the cars lined up on the grid Monday morning, NASCAR hoped to get at least half of the 90 scheduled laps in to make the event official.  David Gilliland started in the 41st position, eager to try to match his 12th-place road-course finish at Infineon Raceway earlier this season.

The No. 34 Fusion climbed up to 29th in the opening 15 laps, despite the driver's reports that the car was "tight" getting through right-handed turns.  Crew chief Peter Sospenzo ordered various chassis and air-pressure adjustments during the team's first three pit stops to help Gilliland, but the team had lost track position to fall to 34th, one lap down, by Lap 51. 

Smart pit strategy and the use of the "wave-around" rule under a Lap-67 caution got Gilliland back on the lead lap in 32nd.  But about 10 laps later, he reported a brake issue and was soon headed to pit road after blowing the right front tire.  The problem was diagnosed as a broken brake rotor, which sent Gilliland to the garage for the remainder of the race.  The team was credited with a 33rd-place finish.

The rains held off, the entire race was run, and Marcos Ambrose collected his first Sprint Cup win in a green-white-checkered finish.
 
Comments from driver David Gilliland after the Watkins Glen race:

"That was disappointing, obviously.  We've been making some really good progress as a team over the last few weeks and we were excited to go road-course racing again.  Unfortunately we had a brake issue and our day ended early.  We weren't as competitive as we were at Sonoma, but I think we could've had a better finish than what we wound up with."

Terry Labonte

Terry Labonte, No. 38 Long John Silver's Ford

Starting Position: 43

Finishing Position: 34
 

The No. 38 Long John Silver's Ford team took the green flag in the 43rd position with two-time Sprint Cup champ Terry Labonte at the wheel.  Labonte's solid performance at Watkins Glen over his 33-year career had the team encouraged for a good points day at the twisting road course.  But unfortunately, like their No. 34 teammates, the No. 38 team was also struck by mechanical issues.

Labonte had driven up to the 27th position in the opening 26 laps when he reported a problem with the car's suspension.  After working to diagnose the problem over their first two pit stops, the team made their third pit on Lap 49 to change both front shocks.  Labonte restarted in the 35th position, one lap down. 

With the car's handling improved, crew chief Jay Guy went to work on formulating a pit strategy to get the No. 38 Ford back on the lead lap and in position to gain spots on the leaderboard.  But the cautions and opportunities for a "Lucky Dog" free pass were not working in their favor over the final third of the race.  Their efforts were then cut short on Lap 79, when Labonte had to head for the garage with a broken transmission.  The team finished in 34th.
  
Comments from driver Terry Labonte after the Watkins Glen race:

"We had the car working pretty well after changing the shocks.  It was pretty neutral and we just had to try to pick off some positions as we had the opportunity.  But we lost the transmission toward the end there and didn't get the chance to finish it off.  Road courses sure can beat up a car and, unfortunately, ours got beat up a bit."

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