Jake Crum Press Release

10-06-08

The Last Is Now First
Crum Comes From Last Position to Finish Second Retakes UARA Points Lead

Greenville, SC: Often times when Team Crum Racing comes to the pits people overlook the young team. With driver Jake Crum just turning 17, crew chief Nick Hutchins only 22 years old and several other members on the crew under 18 years old, onlookers doubt the ability of the team. Team Crum Racing erased any doubt in people’s minds this past weekend at Greenville-Pickens Speedway in Greenville, SC when the team managed to pull off a second place finish after an almost devastating qualifying run.

The day started off well for Crum, driver of the #1 Mark 4 Suzuki Chevrolet. He was fifth in practice and knew he would have to be on his game during the race to regain his points lead from #72, Richard Boswell Jr.

When Crum went out to qualify he immediately knew something was wrong with the car. It did not take long for him to realize the rear end went on the car. He brought the car in before he could even make a qualifying lap.

“Having the rear end break during qualifying was a blessing in disguise,” said Team Owner, Billy Crum. “If it would have happened on the first lap of the race we would have been done. We cannot thank Brandon McReynolds enough for letting us borrow a rear end from him. Nick and the rest of the crew did a great job getting it replaced so that we could race.”

The team kept their cool as they worked like crazy getting the rear end replace in between qualifying and the autograph session. They got the car onto the track just minutes before the race was to begin. Crum was sitting in last place, 31st position, for the start of the 150 lap race.

Crum was ready and determined to put on a show for the fans and regain his lead in the points standings. Within the first three laps he had already gained five positions. By lap 30 he was up to 20th and by lap 50 he broke into the top 15.

By the time a caution came on lap 85 Crum was sitting four spots behind Boswell and knew he would have to continue pushing hard to get in front of him.

The next caution helped show Crum’s excellent driving ability as he avoided an accident that happened right in front of him and put him restarting behind Boswell in 9th place. By the time a caution came at lap 124 Crum was in the top five.

With ten laps to go two cars spun in front of Crum, but with good spotting and quick reactions he was able to avoid another accident. This put him restarting 3rd. Crum moved quickly on the restart and was able to finish the race second.

Onlookers were stunned at the driving ability of the young driver and the professionalism of the team as they stayed cool under pressure. Harold Crook, head of Marketing for the UARA, commented on how they had never seen anyone pull off what Crum was able to do.

Crum is back on top of the points standings by 56 points with only two races left. Though he knows he has to finish well the next two races, a little bit of pressure is off not having another driver breathing down his back.

Team Crum Racing will be heading to Caraway Speedway in Asheboro, NC on October 18th for the second to last UARA race.





		10-06-08 The Last Is Now First Crum Comes From Last Position to Finish Second Retakes UARA Points Lead Greenville, SC: Often times when Team Crum Racing comes to the pits people overlook the young team. With driver Jake Crum just turning 17, crew chief Nick Hutchins only 22 years old and several other members on the crew under 18 years old, onlookers doubt the ability of the team. Team Crum Racing erased any doubt in people’s minds this past weekend at Greenville-Pickens Speedway in Greenville, SC when the team managed to pull off a second place finish after an almost devastating qualifying run. The day started off well for Crum, driver of the #1 Mark 4 Suzuki Chevrolet. He was fifth in practice and knew he would have to be on his game during the race to regain his points lead from #72, Richard Boswell Jr. When Crum went out to qualify he immediately knew something was wrong with the car. It did not take long for him to realize the rear end went on the car. He brought the car in before he could even make a qualifying lap. “Having the rear end break during qualifying was a blessing in disguise,” said Team Owner, Billy Crum. “If it would have happened on the first lap of the race we would have been done. We cannot thank Brandon McReynolds enough for letting us borrow a rear end from him. Nick and the rest of the crew did a great job getting it replaced so that we could race.” The team kept their cool as they worked like crazy getting the rear end replace in between qualifying and the autograph session. They got the car onto the track just minutes before the race was to begin. Crum was sitting in last place, 31st position, for the start of the 150 lap race. Crum was ready and determined to put on a show for the fans and regain his lead in the points standings. Within the first three laps he had already gained five positions. By lap 30 he was up to 20th and by lap 50 he broke into the top 15. By the time a caution came on lap 85 Crum was sitting four spots behind Boswell and knew he would have to continue pushing hard to get in front of him. The next caution helped show Crum’s excellent driving ability as he avoided an accident that happened right in front of him and put him restarting behind Boswell in 9th place. By the time a caution came at lap 124 Crum was in the top five. With ten laps to go two cars spun in front of Crum, but with good spotting and quick reactions he was able to avoid another accident. This put him restarting 3rd. Crum moved quickly on the restart and was able to finish the race second. Onlookers were stunned at the driving ability of the young driver and the professionalism of the team as they stayed cool under pressure. Harold Crook, head of Marketing for the UARA, commented on how they had never seen anyone pull off what Crum was able to do. Crum is back on top of the points standings by 56 points with only two races left. Though he knows he has to finish well the next two races, a little bit of pressure is off not having another driver breathing down his back. Team Crum Racing will be heading to Caraway Speedway in Asheboro, NC on October 18th for the second to last UARA race.