NINTH PLACE FINISH FOR LEFFLER AND THE ABF TEAM AT "THUNDER VALLEY"

BRISTOL, Tenn. (March 22, 2010) - Jason Leffler and the ABF team headed to "Thunder Valley" this weekend for racing at the famed Bristol Motor Speedway. Having finished in the top-10 at the half-mile track in five out of his last six starts there, Leffler expected another strong finish and perhaps a shot to contend for the win in Saturday's Scotts Turf Builder 300. After fighting a tight-handling condition in the first half of the race, Leffler and his team took advantage of creative pit strategy and sheer determination to bring home a ninth-place finish.

Starting from the 10^th position, Leffler mentally prepared himself for what was sure to an intense 300-lap battle. He spent the first run of the race fighting for position among the top-10 contenders, despite reporting what he called an extremely tight-handling condition in his race car.

"It's really tight and chattering the nose through the corners," Leffler told his crew chief, Scott Zipadelli.

After encouraging his driver to be patient and to continue doing what he was doing, Zipadelli called out the changes he wanted made to the No. 10 ABF Camry when the team made their first pit stop of the day. Leffler fought hard to maintain his position inside the top-10 for the remainder of the run. On lap 52, the yellow flag was displayed for debris on the track, allowing Leffler to come to pit road for service. The ABF crew quickly changed four tires, made an air pressure adjustment and filled the car with fuel. With a number of cars opting to remain out on the track as opposed to pitting, Leffler was put back in the 20^th spot for the restart on lap 60.

Over the course of the next 20 laps, Leffler battled heavy traffic as he worked his way forward. By lap 66, he had moved into the 15^th position but was unable to make up any additional ground on the leaders due to the persistent tight condition in his car.

"It's tight going into the corners and chatters all the way through the center," Leffler told his crew over the radio.

On lap 90, a multi-car accident on the track brought out the yellow flag and eventually led NASCAR to throw the red flag so that crews could safely clear the debris. During the break in the racing action, Leffler and Zipadelli discussed the performance of the ABF Camry and decided to make some additional adjustments on their second pit stop. As the red flag was lifted and pit road opened, Leffler pulled into his pit stall for four tires, fuel and air pressure and wedge adjustments. Quick work by the ABF crew put Leffler back out onto the track in the 15^th position for the restart on lap 95.

The next 30 laps were riddled with cautions, but Leffler managed to maneuver the No. 10 back inside the top-10. Citing that he needed more grip, Leffler briefly fell back to 12^th on lap 134. While under caution on lap 147, Leffler came to pit road for service and additional adjustments. Hoping to improve the handling balance of the ABF Camry for the second half of the race, the crew changed four tires and made air pressure, track bar and wedge adjustments per Zipadelli's instructions. The lengthy pit stop put Leffler back deep in the field and in the 23^rd position.

Going back to work, Leffler fought his way back toward the front of the pack. When a multi-car accident resulted in a caution on lap 187, Zipadelli made the call to keep Leffler out on the track in order to gain some much needed track position. The decision proved to be a good one as the Leffler lined his Camry up in the second spot for the restart.

As green-flag racing resumed, Leffler quickly jumped into the lead. Following three quick caution periods, Leffler dropped to second and held his own for the next 20 laps against those cars with fresher tires. As his tries grew more worn, the No. 10 began slowly losing ground but Leffler continued to hold his own inside the top-10. Committed to staying out for the remainder of the race, Leffler battled it out until the checkered flag fell, bringing the No. 10 ABF Camry home with a ninth-place finish.

Next Stop: The NASCAR Nationwide Series will have a weekend off before heading to Nashville Superspeedway on April 3^rd. The Nashville 300 will be broadcast LIVE on ESPN starting at 3:30 p.m. EST. The green flag is scheduled for 4pm p.m. EST.