Ken Schrader in the No. 18 Fastenal Dodge at Calfornia. (VPS Motorimages Photo)

Ken Schrader piloted the No. 18 Fastenal Dodge to a 15th finishing position in the San Bernardino County 200 on Friday night at California Speedway. Schrader, making his second career NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series start at California Speedway, picked up his first top-15 finish of the 2007 season. The strong finish by the entire Fastenal Racing Team moved Schrader up nine spots in the championship point standings to 23rd place.

"The No. 18 Fastenal Dodge was a lot of fun to race tonight," said Schrader after the event. "We were not the fastest truck on the speed charts during practice, but I knew it would race well. The guys were awesome on pit road tonight. After the finish we had last week in Daytona I am thrilled to bring home the Fastenal Dodge in 15th position."

Schrader qualified his Fastenal Dodge in the 24th position around the two-mile oval on Friday afternoon.  He wasted no time making his way toward the front runners once the green flag dropped. Six laps into the event Schrader was running in the 18th position.

"I am loose everywhere," said Schrader on lap 15. "Tighten me up on the next pit stop."

The first of six cautions waived on lap 32 for debris. Crew Chief Jeff White made the call for Schrader to bring the No. 18 Fastenal Dodge down pit road for four tires, fuel and a track bar adjustment to aid the loose condition. He restarted 15th on lap 36.

At the halfway point, Schrader continued to run in the 15th position. "It is a little tighter than it was before, but it is still loose," he said.

The second caution came out on lap 53 for a spin in turn four. For the final time of the night Schrader came down pit road to the attention of the Fastenal crew who cranked out a lighting fast pit stop changing all four tires and adding fuel. He restarted in the 15th position on lap 57.

By lap 60, Schrader was turning the fastest laps he had all night.  Over the next several laps Schrader made his way into the 13th position before another caution flag was waived for a crash in turn two. White and Schrader made the decision to stay out under the caution. "We can make it all the way on fuel," said White. "Are you sure," questioned Schrader. "I am sure," said White. The No. 18 Fastenal Dodge remained on the track. He restarted in the 8th position on lap 74.

Schrader battled a loose truck in the final laps of the 100 lap event, but was able to hold his own.  He finished in the 15th position. It was the team's first top-15 finish of the season.

Mike Skinner won the San Bernardino County 200 before an estimated crowd of 20,000. Ron Hornaday Jr., Jack Sprague, Carl Edwards and Ted Musgrave rounded out the top five finishers.