Dale Jarrett's #44 UPS Toyota Camry was a strong, steady machine throughout much of Sunday's Goody's Cool Orange 500. It was strong enough to run laps as fast as the leaders as Jarrett patiently and steadily climbed up the running order. That is until the right rear wheel sheered off on lap 423. Until that point, Jarrett was on pace for a season-best finish. The broken wheel forced him back several positions for a final result of 28th, four laps down to the leaders.
When the green flag flew at 2:16 pm, Jarrett knew he had a long day ahead of him to improve on his 38th starting spot. After being stuck behind slower traffic, he found himself a lap down early. With a few minor track bar adjustments on consecutive pit stops, Jarrett's #44 Toyota began handling better and he was consistently running lap times as quick as the front of the pack. Extra lapped traffic suffocated Jarrett's chances to recover and get back on the lead lap, but he patiently kept working.
During a caution on lap 307, the UPS crew got a real shock when Jarrett radioed that the shifter just broke off in his hand. Attempts by Jarrett to replace the shifter and secure it with a pair of vise grips both failed, so he was left with only a small section of the handle. Even then, the veteran driver drove his way up to 23rd and was waiting for a caution to earn the "lucky dog" to get back on the lead lap. Just when things seemed to be turning in the team's favor, Jarrett radioed in on lap 422 that he felt a vibration. The very next lap, the right rear wheel sheered off and caused the #44 to spin in turn two.
Jarrett brought his wounded #44 UPS Toyota onto pit road for repairs. It took a few extra moments for the crew to lift the car onto the jack for a set of new right side tires. Crew Chief Matt Borland sent Jarrett back around the track again before changing left side tires to stay in front of the pace car and avoid losing another lap. Team UPS found themselves back in 30th, three laps down to the leaders. Jarrett fought back to regain two more spots before the end of the day to finish in 28th.
"What a day. I am almost speechless!" exclaimed a dejected Dale Jarrett. "I can't believe our luck. The car felt decent most of the day; just a little bit tight on the exit. But Matt [Borland] and the guys kept working hard and did a great job on pit road all day. I don't know what to say. If things ever start going our way as much as they go against us, we might be okay."
Jimmie Johnson survived a heated battle in the final laps with teammate Jeff Gordon to bring home the victory. Johnson took home his second Martinsville Grandfather Clock trophy in a row after celebrating his third victory of the season. Polesitter Denny Hamlin finished in 3rd after Jeff Gordon, who remains the points leader. With his struggles throughout the day, Jarrett remains 37th in the driver's points standings.
Teams will have a weekend off before returning to action in two weeks at Texas Motor Speedway for the Samsung 500 on Sunday, April 15. Television coverage will be provided by the FOX network beginning at 1:30 pm EDT with the green flag at 2:00 pm. Radio coverage will be provided by the Performance Racing Network (PRN).
