Tire Change Turns Out To Be Costly For “Little Trees” Team : Raceway Media

Watkins Glen, NY (August 15, 2004): A lap-33 tire change cost Mike Olsen precious track position and valuable points during the Mohegan Sun 150 at Watkins Glen International road course Saturday afternoon. Olsen took the checkers with a disappointing 19th place finish – his first finish outside of the top-10 this year.

The situation developed after Olsen reported to the crew that he believed the two front tires were flat-spotted. Under NASCAR rules, a team is allowed to change two tires during the course of an event. The team can change more tires if factors, such as flatspotting, dictate more than the allotted number of tires allowed. Olsen brought the No. 61 “Little Trees” Chevrolet down pit road and the crew made a four-tire change (the two event tires plus two extra for the flat-spotted tires). After careful inspection by NASCAR officials, only one tire was found to actually have been flat-spotted, and Olsen was brought down pit road for a one-lap penalty.

“I can’t believe it,” Olsen said after the race. “But it is the rule. We made a mistake, took our penalty, and paid the price ultimately in the points. We’ve been right on top of Andy all season long, and now I think we have an 82-point deficit. It could be worse I guess. We’re still second, and we have one of our best tracks coming up next week. We’ll just have to try and gain some ground there.”

Olsen started the race from the second spot after rain forced NASCAR officials to cancel qualifying procedures. Santerre took the early lead with Olsen in tow. As the field came across the start/finish line on lap two, Matt Kobyluck was able to power his way by both Olsen and Santerre to take over the lead and relegate Olsen to the third position.

A wreck on lap three brought out the caution, and an eventual red flag condition that lasted nearly a half hour while safety crews repaired the guardrail in turn four. Racing resumed at lap nine with Olsen immediately pressuring Santerre for second. On lap 10, Olsen attempted a pass on the point leader as they went through the inner-loop, but had to back out of it.

A hard-charging Dale Quarterley went by Olsen and Santerre on lap 11 on his way to the lead. Meanwhile, Olsen continued to battle Santerre for the third spot – a position he was able to gain on lap 14.

A second full-course caution waved at lap 16 setting the field up for a restart at lap 18 with Olsen still in third. Drivers began to pit under green flag conditions at lap 19 before caution waved at lap 23. Olsen was second into the pits behind Quarterley and returned to the track in the tenth position for a restart at lap 26.

When caution waved at lap 31, Olsen reported to his crew that he believed both front tires were flat spotted. After a brief discussion with crew chief Harry Norcross, Olsen brought the No. 61 “Little Trees” Chevrolet down pit road for a four-tire change. Olsen returned to the track in the 20th position, and was averaging a position a lap as the race went on. By lap 42, Olsen had worked his way back up to 16th and was continuing to make progress.

The event took a dramatic turn for Olsen at that lap-42 mark. The 30-car checked up in front of the “Little Trees” Chevrolet and the two made contact. It was at that point that officials informed Olsen’s crew chief that they would be penalizing Olsen – not for making contact with the 30-car as many had believed, but for changing an unapproved tire.

During the caution period, Olsen brought the “Little Trees” Chevrolet down pit road as an official held him in his pit stall for one lap.

“A lot of things run through your head during that time,” Olsen admitted. “You think of all the would-have’s could-have’s, and should-have’s. In the end, you just have to work with the hand you’re dealt with.”

Olsen returned to the track in the 25th position and one lap down. The No. Haverhill, NH-driver was able to make up six positions before the checkers fell at lap 62 for a 19th place finish.

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