Mike Olsen Wheels To 8th Place Finish In Toyota All-Star Showdown Qualifying Race
Irwindale, CA (November 12, 2004): Mike Olsen came from a 14th place starting position and wheeled his way to an eighth place finish in the NASCAR Toyota All-Star Showdown qualifying race for the Grand National Division. Olsen’s finish earns him a 15th place starting position in the 150-lap invitation-only race Saturday night.
Olsen and the “Little Trees” crew thrashed earlier in the day to resolve a slight flutter problem in the engine. The persistence of the crew paid off with a solid run in the qualifying heat, and a respectable start in the Showdown.
Olsen, by virtue of his runner-up finish in the 2004 Busch North Series point standings, was lined up second to last for the heat race. By lap eight, Olsen worked his way up to 11th and really turned up the heat after the halfway mark.
On lap 31, Olsen turned his momentum into a three-wide battle as he ducked underneath the dueling Ryan Moore and Jamie Aube. Three circuits later, Olsen drove by both to claim the eight spot.
Olsen moved up yet another spot when he drove the “Little Trees” Chevrolet underneath the 3 car driven by Sean Woodside in turn four on lap 38, but 2004 West Series Champion Mike Duncan gave Olsen a run for his money on lap 43.
The two drivers battled side-by-side for a entire circuit before Duncan took seventh. The checkers fell without a single caution flag waving.
“It was a good race, and a more realistic test for the race tomorrow. Of course we would have liked to have win this race, but we’ll focus on winning the important one tomorrow,” Olsen said with a grin.
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