FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 24, 2011
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Chris Ferguson Settles for a Top 10 in a Wild One at Cleveland Speedway



CLEVELAND, Tenn. – Chris Ferguson and his CFM Team made the journey back to Cleveland, Tennessee’s Cleveland Speedway for the 34th Annual Coca-Cola Tennessee Memorial this past Saturday night. The $5000 to win / 50 lap event at the third mile oval was sanctioned by the Southern All Star Racing Series. Ferguson, who was the runner-up in this same race in his first ever visit in 2010, was pumped up about returning and looking to improve by one position. “When we went to Cleveland last year I just fell in love with the track. It was very racy and our car was really good. We caught Randy Weaver at the end and I believe we could have raced him for the win if we hadn’t run out of laps. So I was extremely excited about getting to go back over there in our new Warrior Chassis.” Ferguson said.

However track conditions were very different for this return trip. A very heavy and rough surface threw the 37 drivers on hand a curveball. Several drivers suffered damage in qualifying. A few of those sustained enough damage to end their night. Ferguson struggled to lay down 2 good laps in the rough conditions but managed to time in 13th quickest overall. “The track was pretty bad in qualifying. We hit some ruts in 3 and 4 that killed our momentum on the lap I think would have been our fastest one. But everybody had to deal with the same racetrack so we tried to make the best of it. They worked on the track and tried their best to make it better. I appreciate that the promoter made the effort to give us a good surface to race on. Sometimes things just don’t work out but I know they tried their best.” Ferguson added.

The Southern All Stars format consisted of locking the top 10 qualifiers into the feature and then completing the field with a series of 3 heat races. Ferguson’s qualifying effort put him on the pole for the third of the three heat races. Ferguson went on to lead every lap of his 10 lap heat to secure the 13th starting spot for the 50 lap feature. “The track was a little better for our heat race and I knew we had a really good car. If we could just stay out of trouble and not break anything or cut a tire down we were gonna be able to get to the front.” Ferguson said.

Unfortunately Ferguson’s words proved to be somewhat prophetic for the feature event. After starting 13th Ferguson had worked his way into the top 10 and was looking to break into the top 5 when he cut down a left rear tire. “It was pretty early so I still felt like we had a good chance to get back in contention.” And get back into contention he did. Ferguson, who restarted 16th, moved to the top of the track and rallied into the top 10. But yet again he cut a tire down. “When we got the 2nd flat I was just sick. I knew we had a car that I believed was good enough to win the race. But I figured we would change the tire and see if we could make something happen. I knew there were only 9 or 10 cars left in the track so it was worth a shot as good as we had been.” said Ferguson.

Restarting from 10th and with just 15 laps remaining, Ferguson let it all hang out. He pushed his Warrior machine to the ragged edge. Up front, leader Jonathan Davenport and Chris Madden were waging a battle for the lead. Lap after lap Ferguson picked off positions until he made his way up to 3rd with only 5 laps remaining. Madden, who had a lap earlier avoided disaster when he did a 360 and kept his machine going without losing a spot, had settled into the 2nd spot. As Ferguson approached with a head of steam on the topside the low running Madden hit a rut which rolled his nose under. The damage sent Madden’s machine sliding up the track and directly into Ferguson’s path. The resulting damage ended both drivers night.

“That was just so frustrating. I honestly believe we should have won the race. I don’t blame Chris (Madden) at all. I been in the same spot and he couldn’t have done anything to avoid it. I hate it. We worked real hard and gave ourselves a shot at a win. This was a brand new body on the car and we will have to replace it all again. I had a blast running up through the field like that and I believe we gave the fans a good show. It was kind of cool that they gave me a big ovation when we were coming in on the wrecker. And after the race we had so many fans come down to the car. I wish we could have won the race but that’s just a part of racing. Sometimes you win and sometimes you wreck. I want to thank all of our sponsors and my crew here. We wouldn’t be able to do any of this if it wasn’t for them.” Ferguson concluded.

Chris and his CFM Team would like to thank Starrette Trucking, Hal’s Plumbing, Carver and Sons Roofing, Quality Landscape Materials, Creech's DJ Service, Big A's Custom Graphics, Keith's Handyman Service, Randy Clary Race Engines, Warrior Race Cars, Quality Fasteners, RE Suspension, K&N Filters, FK Rod Ends, Fragola Performance Systems, Schaeffer’s Racing Oil and Lubricants, ButlerBuilt Professional Seat Systems, Hooker Harness, Outerwears, RF Composites, Team W, KELCAR Motorsports Media, Dirt Racing Magazine, CV Products and Behrent’s Performance Warehouse.

Chris’ has a new website that is currently in development and should launch soon. Until the website is released supporters and fans can keep up with Chris and his CFM Race Team by following Chris on Twitter @ChrisFerguson22 or by liking Ferguson’s Fan Page on facebook at http://www.facebook.com/ChrisFerguson22 . Chris’ new CFM t-shirts and hoodies by ASI Racewear are now available. They are available in white or black t-shirts, women’s shirts and hoodies. You can get yours at the CFM hauler or check out Chris’ Facebook page for ordering details.