Summit Point, WV – The D&N Motorsports team scored its first win and second podium of the season today in Round 13 of the US Touring Car Championship.
Dennis Short, driving the No. 24 Saturn, started on the outside of the pole-winning Audi A4 and completed 13 laps around the 2-mile Summit Point Raceway.
At the drop of the green flag the Audi, with an impressive start off the line, took a commanding lead. Short, new to the standing start format, lost several positions on the start, but with a bold move in turn five on the first lap, he was right back in the thick of it. Unable to make up any time on the Audi, Short settled into what he thought was going to be another second-place finish. Coming out of turn nine on lap 4 he noticed the Audi off of the pace and pulling to the right of the track. Dennis took over the lead of the race and quickly notified Crew Chief Don Short of the situation. Shortly after, Don radioed to Dennis that the Audi was entering the pits. For the remainder of the race, Dennis kept the pace steady and brought the No. 24 Saturn home for the team’s first win and second podium finish of the season.
Round 13 was the final round of the East Coast races. D&N Motorsports will start preparations for a full schedule in 2005.
DENNIS SHORT, OWNER/DRIVER, NO. 24 SATURN SW2: “This isn’t the way we really would like to win, because the Audi was definitely the better car, but we will take it anyway. We weren’t able to race as many races as we wanted this year, but it was still a good season. I would like to thank my family and crew for all of the help and support they have given me and we are looking forward to next year. I would also like to thank Jeff Mishtawy for all his efforts in getting these East Coast races together.”
DON SHORT, CREW CHIEF, NO. 24 SATURN SW2: “We had a great weekend at Summit Point with Dennis behind the wheel of the silver wagon. He drove a smart race coming away with his first win of the season. I would like to say thanks to NASA Virginia for a good weekend and for keeping things pretty much on schedule. They provided a great party on Saturday night. I would also like to thank Jeff Mishtawy and his crew from Ohio for all their help. They are competitors but willing to lend a helping hand when you need it. I’m proud of Dennis, and we’re looking forward to next season.”
