TOUGH NIGHT FOR ESR DEVELOPMENT DRIVERS AT HICKORY (N.C.) MOTOR SPEEDWAY

DENVER, N.C. (June 11, 2012) – Eddie Sharp Racing (ESR) teammates Will Gallaher and Brandon Jones had strong cars at Hickory (N.C.) Motor Speedway this week, but tough luck in the United Auto Racing Association (UARA) STARS Series' resulted in a 19th and 28th place result, respectively.

Gallaher and the No. 6 ESR Development Chevrolet was quick off the hauler. The team made a track bar adjustment during practice, and spent the rest of the session just running laps and getting used to the track. Still adjusting to the qualifying procedure in a stock car, Gallaher fought a slight loose condition during his hot laps to qualify in the 24th position. Once the green flag fell, Gallaher fell back in the running order to learn from the other competitors and listen to the guidance of his spotter. By the halfway point of the race, Gallaher had picked up several positions during a restart and was racing inside the top 15. With just 26 laps to go,
Gallaher spun in turn one after making contact with another car. Unfortunately the Rookie of the Year contender lost a lap as the leaders drove by before he could safely move his car moving. As a result, the driver was credited with a 19th place finish.

Jones and the No. 33 team spent Friday's opening practice session trying several different options and adjustments before deciding on one setup for their Chevrolet. During Saturday morning's session, the team put their car in race trim and sent Jones out for a 30-lap run to see how the car would react on old tires to prepare for the Banjo Matthews Memorial 150. Jones qualified 18th out of the group of 27 cars. Unfortunately Jones night went up in smoke as the engine expired on the No. 33 Chevrolet just 13 laps into the event. As a result, Jones was credited with a 28th-place finish.

Jones will get behind the wheel of the No. 33 super late model for the World Crown 300 at Gresham (Ga.) Motorsports Park on the Fourth of July. The following week, both Jones and Gallaher will be back in action with the UARA-STARS Series at Newport (Tenn.) Motor Speedway on Saturday, July 14th.