Derek Ramstrom: PASS North Series
Lee USA Speedway Race Report
Derek Ramstrom of West Boylston, Mass., finished 10th in the PASS North Series Bastille 200 at Lee USA Speedway in Lee, N.H., on Tuesday, July 13. Ramstrom started on the pole for the first time this season, and the part-time PASS competitor and reigning Super Late Model champion at Thompson (Conn.) International Speedway led the first five circuits before settling into the top-3 and riding out the early portion of the event. Ramstrom lost valuable track position on a pit stop — when lug nuts were left off his right rear tire — leaving him to scramble for his first top-10 finish of the season in four starts.
WHO: Derek Ramstrom, W. Boylston, Mass.
TEAM: No. 35 Charter Communications/Matthews Truck Service and Towing Chevrolet
WHAT: PASS North Series Bastille 200
WHERE: Lee USA Speedway, Lee, N.H. (.333-mile oval)
STARTED: 1st
FINISHED: 10th
LED: 1 time for 5 laps
NEXT RACE: Saturday, July 22nd, Thompson International Speedway, Thompson, Conn.
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DEREK, TALK ABOUT YOUR NIGHT.
I started on the pin and Scott Chubbuck got by me and then Kelly Moore passed me. I just followed Kelly for a while. I tried to save the car, but it just got too loose. I’d go to turn the wheel and the car would just snap around on me. I struggled with that all night.
Next time we come, I just need to tell the crew to make some different adjustments because we’re trying a different setup now in the car. It’s a different feel, and I’ve just got to get used to it and adapt to it.
WHAT CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT THE PIT STOP?
We pitted about lap (100), and we only got one lug nut on the right rear. We dropped the car (off the jack), but I had to come back in and we had to fix it. We lost a ton of ground, and that’s where I made the wrong adjustment on that pit stop right there.
DO YOU TAKE SOME SOLACE IN THE FACT YOU GOT YOUR FIRST TOP-10 OF THE SEASON?
Yeah, but I’m a little frustrated.
It’s something we’ve got to get used to. We’ve just got to keep testing this setup and hopefully get an idea of how it’s supposed to feel and the way that I like it.