With each trip to the short tracks on the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series schedule this year, the optimism for Chad McCumbee and his MRD Motorsports crew has grew stronger.  The team has focused on improvements with their short track program this year as they look to become contenders on the circuit.  It appeared as though they would finally be rewarded with their first top ten on a short track, but a late race incident with Kyle Busch would leave them with their second consecutive DNF of the season.

The team quickly realized on Friday that their efforts on the short track setups had begun to pay off.  The #8 Malcolmson Construction Chevrolet Silverado showed more speed in the morning's practice sessions than it had at the previous short track events.  They worked through getting the handle a little more to Chad's liking, and ended the final practice 11th quick.  However, they missed the qualifying setup just a little bit and settled for the 22nd starting spot for the race later that night.  However, Chad and the team wasn't too worried about their starting spot and felt like they had a good race truck for the night.  After the start of the race, Chad showed that his feelings were right.

Throughout the night, Chad continued to work his way to the front.  After a series of pit exchanges and long green flag runs, Chad and Team MRD found themselves in the 11th position late in the race and had not shown any signs of settling.  However, heading into the corner while racing side by side with another truck, Chad's night ended early as the truck of another competitor slide up into his left rear, sending Chad into the wall.  The team tried to repair the damages, but the damages were too significant and there wasn't enough laps left to make a return.  Ultimately, they settled for a 31st place finish instead of their first top ten.

"This is frustrating.  This is the best we have been on a short track and we have very little to show for it.  I really feel for the guys on this team because they have worked hard to keep giving me better trucks each week.  This is the second race in a row where we have had a good finish taken away by mistakes of others.  But, that's part of racing.  We'll take this truck back and make the repairs and we'll get 'em next time at Nashville," commented McCumbee on the Indianapolis weekend.

Chad was able to maintain his 12th place standings in the Craftsman Truck Series Championship battle as the truck teams take a weekend off before heading to Nashville, TN.  However, Chad will take the opportunity of the off weekend to step back behind the wheel of the No. 45 Marathon Oil Dodge for Petty Enterprises for the Sunoco Red Cross Pennsylvania 500 at the Pocono Raceway in Long Pond, PA.  The race will be televised live on ESPN beginning at 1:00pm EST on Sunday.

Chad made his NASCAR Cup Series debut for Petty Enterprises at Pocono last year and finished 25th in his first career start.  Chad has 5 career starts at the Pocono raceway, with most of the starts coming in the ARCA Re/Max Series.  During his NASCAR Cup debut weekend, Chad also drove the Victory Junction Gang Camp Dodge for Petty Enterprises to victory lane during the ARCA Re/MAX series.  Chad will return to the track for Petty Enterprises starting Friday during the day's practice and qualifying sessions.  Chad will look to put the No. 45 Marathon Oil Dodge into Sunday's field to continue the recent gains the No.45 team has made on the Top 35 in Owner's Point, but to also gain himself the much valuable race experience.

"I can't thank everyone at Petty Enterprises enough for allowing me to get some more time in the No. 45 Marathon Oil Dodge this weekend.  I was able to make my first NASCAR Cup Series start at Pocono last year and we had a pretty decent run.  I feel confident we can improve on the finish this weekend," stated McCumbee on his return to the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series.

Chad also had this to say about Pocono: "Pocono has been one of my favorite tracks since my first visit.  It is such a unique place with three totally different corners.  I've always considered it a driver's track.  I know that Stewart Copper is going to have a great Marathon Oil Dodge waiting on me.  I look forward to putting the No. 45 into the field and getting a strong run under my belt.  I just feel thankful for Petty Enterprises and Marathon having the confidence in me and allowing me to have such a unique opportunity."