Driver of the #66 Samuel Metals Ford Fusion
USARacing Series Champion - 2005 & 2008
USARacing Miller Lite Rookie of the Year - 2003 

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Snake Bitten at Salem Speedway - Again

 

(July 6, 2007) - DuBois, PA.   It is a love hate relationship that Benny Gordon has with Salem Speedway. Benny loves the high banks of Salem that gives the speedway that “big track” feel. With two distinctive racing lines in both ends of the track, one high and one low it suits Benny’s driving style. Unfortunately, the finishes at Salem do not match the enthusiasm Benny has for the track. Four trips to Salem and the best finish Benny has recorded is a 7th in 2005.

 

“I was really excited that we were finally going to get the win at Salem on Saturday night”, said Benny. “We unloaded a fast car and kept working on it to help it on old tires. I had good qualifying laps and knew there was a bit left in the car afterwards.”  Ben, his crew

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The Samuel Metals Ford Fusion on the High Banks of Salem Speedway.

chief and brother Todd discussed pit strategy right up until race time with three different scenarios in mind. Taking the lead on lap 17 Benny was able to set a fast pace in his Samuels Metal, Johnny Suzuki, Murray’s Freightliner Ford Fusion until coming in for a pit stop on lap 46 for a fresh set of tires. Back in to pit road on the following lap for fuel Benny was set for the long haul.

“As the race played out the cautions were falling in our planned pit windows”, said Benny. “Todd and I wanted to come back in with about 50 to go to put the first set of tires back on after they had cooled down. Fifty lap tires should out run 100 lap tires.” On queue with 43 laps to go Benny waited until the last opportunity to drop into the pit and put the first set of BF Goodrich G-Force radials back on rejoining the field in the 11th position. Benny worked his way back to third quickly where he was in a dogfight with Matt Carter.

“I took a lot out of the tires getting up to Matt so when I got to him there was nothing left in them”, said Benny. “I worked hard to pass Matt but just could not get in the line that I needed in the 3rd and 4th turns. I knew there was no need to push the matter I wanted the position but did not want to wreck Matt or myself. In fact, I backed off just a bit on the last lap. As I went into the fourth turn the back end snapped out on me and I spun into the water barriers.” Benny was credited with the 10th finishing position, 1 lap down just several hundred feet from the finish line and 3rd place. “If I had stayed in the gas we would have finished in 3rd.” said Benny. “Worst of all, the car is hurt badly and it looks like it will need a rear clip. We are going to have some long days between now and the next race at Motor Mile Speedway on July the 14th getting this car ready.”

About Samuel

The Samuel Company is a family owned metal processing and distributing company headquartered in Ontario, Canada with more than 80 facilities located throughout Canada and the United States and more than 4500 employees.  For more information about Samuel, please visit www.samuel.com.

 

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