Lee, NH (April 26, 2004): Bryon Chew, driver of the No. 99 STA-RITE Pumps Chevrolet, soared from a 17th place starting position to seventh before a problem with the ignition box caused the driver to slow in turns one and two before coming to a stop on the track at lap 130. Chew was forced to retire from the event and settle for a 25th place finish.

“After two or three laps my car would come in and I could start running real good and picking guys off,” Chew explained. “Early in the race I lost the ignition A box. It started retarding real bad. I would switch it on the straightaway and that seemed to work. It was good all the way from lap 50, but on that restart it just went dead on me.”

Chew started the race from the 17th position after posting a qualifying speed of 84.948 mph (15.892 seconds). The Mattituck, NY-driver cautiously approached the first few laps while drivers sorted themselves out. A caution on the first circuit proved that Chew’s strategy was a wise one.

Racing resumed at lap five with Chew in the 16th position where he remained until lap 40. Over the next several laps, Chew was able to gain some valuable real estate and move up to 13th. Caution waved at lap 69 with leader Andy Santerre opting to come onto pit road. Chew followed his cue and the STA-RITE Pumps crew went to work on changing right side rubber.

“The guys did a great job during the pit stop,” Chew said. “We have a great bunch of guys that work really well together. They know we can gain a lot in the pits, and their work paid off.”

Chew re-entered the race in the 10th position and continued to gain ground. By lap 110, Chew was in eighth and still on the move. Unfortunately, his progression was slowed by a caution at lap 118. The field lined up for the restart at lap 123 with Chew in the seventh spot.

“We took the green and we knew we were in trouble right away. We limped around the track knowing that there wasn’t going to be enough time to fix this,” a dejected Chew explained. “We had no other choice but to call it a day.”

The Lee 150 will be rebroadcast on SPEED Saturday, May 1st.

F S # Driver, Hometown, Car, Laps Completed, Money Won, Reason Out
=============================================================================
1 3 6 Andy Santerre, Aubuchon Hardware Chev, 150, $4,624
2 12 8 Joey McCarthy, Secure Technologies Inc. Chev, 150, $3,024
3 5 17 Eddie MacDonald, HRM Motorsports Ford, 150, $3,224
4 13 74 Ryan Moore, R.C. Moore Transportation Chev, 150, $2,524
5 8 55 Mike Stefanik, Burnham Boilers Chev, 150, $2,024
6 10 15 Bobby Dragon, Poulin Auto Country Chev, 150, $1,724
7 7 40 Matt Kobyluck, Mohegan Sun Casino Chev, 150, $1,624
8 9 61 Mike Olsen, Little Trees Chev, 150, $1,524
9 2 35 Brad Leighton, Irving Oil Chev, 150, $1,474
10 6 45 Brian Hoar, Goss Dodge Dodge, 150, $1,424
11 23 41 Don Wagner, Mannings USA Chev, 150, $2,399
12 15 47 Kelly Moore, NAPA Auto Parts Chev, 150, $1,374
13 21 16 Kip Stockwell, Sabil & Sons Chev, 150, $1,349
14 1 29 Dave Dion, Berlin City Ford Ford, 150, $1,999
15 20 26 Scott Bouley, Stump Thumpers Chev, 150, $750
16 4 96 Mike Johnson, Johnson Lumber Ford, 150, $1,249
17 11 32 Dale Quarterley, EDART Chev, 149, $1,224
18 16 0 Bill Penfold, VIP Charter Coach Chev, 149, $1,199
19 25 10 Jamie Aube, One Stop Toy Shop Chev, 149, $650
20 24 06 Ryan Seaman, Bruce Camburn Electric Chev, 149, $625
21 18 5 Barney McRae, Akwesasne Casino Chev, 148, $1,124
22 26 2 Laine Chase, Rinox Chev, 146, $1,124
23 19 33 Fred Skaff, Woodworks Racing/Archer Corp. Ford, 145, $600
24 22 77 Lee Weldy, S&J Transportation Chev, 142, $600
25 17 99 Bryon Chew, Sta-Rite Pumps Chev, 129, $1,124
26 14 4 Brad Bennett, Reyben Racing Ford, 102, Battery, $600
27 27 98 John Cerbone, Apache Fishing Chev, 0, Ignition, $1,124

Time of Race: 1 hrs., 1 mins, 46 secs

Average Speed: 54.641 mph         Margin of Victory: 1.605

Busch Pole: Dave Dion, Berlin City/Continental Paving Ford

Featherlite Most Improved Driver: Ryan Moore, R.C. Moore/Bill Dodge Chevrolet

Powerade Power Move Of The Race: Don Wagner, Mannings USA Chevrolet

Lap Leaders: Dion 1-24, Santerre 25-74, Leighton 75, Olsen 76-87, R.Moore 88-97,
Santerre 98-150.

Total Laps Led: Andy Santerre 103, Dave Dion 24, Mike Olsen 12, Ryan Moore 10,
Brad Leighton 1.

5 changes involving 5 drivers.      Caution Flags: 7 for 48 laps.