Watkins Glen, NY (June 9, 2008): A road course is a great place to see a driver’s talent showcased. It’s also a place that can quickly end a talented driver’s day. Fans of Ken Schrader Racing got to see a little of both at this weekend’s Camping World Series East 125 at Watkins Glen International road course.

Schrader Racing development drivers Jamie Hayes and Ricky Carmichael were both making their debut at Watkins Glen, but both had very different outcomes. Hayes was having a solid run when he got collected by a car in turn one at lap 32 – immediately ending his day with a 23rd place finish. Carmichael ran in the top-10 for most of the event, and overcame an engine issue to post a ninth place finish.

Hayes started the race from 19th and pitted at lap eight in hopes that an early pit-strategy would pay off. Hayes worked his #52 JL Hendrick Honda up to 16th before a severe thunderstorm and heavy rain brought out the red flag for two hours. Hayes gained two spots following the lap 27 restart, but caution tightened the field up again. On the restart, the 52 got collected in an impact in turn one.

“We just went back green and there was no patience. The 81 went down and went three wide, went across the grass, and did 360’s coming off of turn one. He collected a bunch of good cars that are running for the points,” said Hayes. “Everything on the left front suspension broke. We were pretty good. We were moving up and probably faster than four or five cars in front of us. We were taking care of our tires and taking care of our transmission. We were just running for points.”

Carmichael started the race from the ninth place, and despite having passed several cars throughout the course, ended the day with a ninth place finish. At the drop of the green, Carmichael immediately advanced to sixth, where he remained until coming onto pit road for fuel at lap 17.

“I was happy with the Monster Energy Drink Chevy, but we had a problem with the engine in that it wouldn’t run on the uphill. Everything we gained we lost on the uphill.”

Carmichael re-entered the race in 13th and worked his way up to 11th before the rains fell and stopped the race. The second half of the race saw long green flag runs and allowed for Carmichael to maneuver his #4 Monster Energy Drink Chevrolet into ninth before a caution fell at lap 49.

After the restart, Carmichael suffered a right front flat. It was the final lap of the day and Carmichael held on to ninth for the checkers.

“I could have finished that race in the top-three if it wasn’t for the flat tire,” said Carmichael. “I got by Jesus (Hernandez) and Trevor (Bayne) and then the right front went flat. I was still coming. At the top of the hill the car just wouldn’t turn.”

The NASCAR Camping World Series East takes a couple of weeks off before returning to action at New Hampshire Motor Speedway on Friday, June 27th for the Heluva Good!® Summer 125.

For more information on Ken Schrader Racing, Jamie Hayes, or Ricky Carmichael, visit www.schraderracing.com