Big Talladega Wreck Claims Bires

Kelly Bires has become the innocent victom of a bizarre wreck in the Aaron’s 312 at Talladega Superspeedway in Talladega, Alabama today.

Bires lost a lap early in the #47 Clorox Ford Fusion due to a deflating tyre and with 47 laps to go the 23-year-old was poised to gain his lap back at the next caution as the ‘lucky dog’.

However, as Kevin LePage rejoined the track from pit road he was collected by the pack, causing a massive wreck – the ‘big one’ so common on superspeedways in restrictor plate races – damaging many cars, including the Clorox Ford of Bires.

The damage was too great for Bires to continue and he was later classified as finishing in 36th position. The result dropped Bires to 11th in the 2008 NASCAR Nationwide Series standings.

Tony Stewart won today’s Aaron’s 312 ahead of David Stremme and Bobby Hamilton Jr.

Bires will be back in action next weekend at Richmond International Raceway for race 11 in the 2008 NASCAR Nationwide Series.

Kelly Bires - #47 Clorox Ford Fusion

“The main thing is that everyone is fine and everything’s cool,” said Bires.

“I saw a car coming off of pit road and going about 100 miles an hour slower. It’s just a bummer. There were a lot of good race cars that got torn up right there because of that deal. But it’s alright.

“We had a great Clorox Ford Fusion all day. It would’ve been good. We had a flat tire there under green and had to pit, put a left front on it, and went back to the rear and was just going to ride there until caution came out and get our lap back, but we just didn’t want to be in it.

“But, it was good. We had a really good race car. It would’ve been a top 10 car, for sure.”

Aaron’s 312 at Talladega Superspeedway
Race 10 in the 2008 NASCAR Nationwide Series
1. #20 Tony Stewart 117 laps
2. #64 David Stremme
3. #25 Bobby Hamilton Jr
4. #38 Jason Leffler
5. #70 Mark Green
6. #5 Dale Earnhardt Jr
7. #1 Mike Bliss
8. #9 Patrick Carpentier
9. #29 Scott Wimmer
10. #7 Mike Wallace
36. #47 Kelly Bires 69 laps

RESULTS: Qualifying
1. #20 Tony Stewart 51.676
2. #1 Mike Bliss 51.745
3. #38 Jason Leffler 51.768
4. #40 Dario Franchitti 51.809
5. #88 Brad Keselowski 51.917
6. #2 Clint Bowyer 51.944
7. #5 Dale Earnhardt Jr 51.958
8. #18 Kyle Busch 51.969
9. #33 Cale Gale 51.984
10. #32 Denny Hamlin 51.984
18. #47 Kelly Bires 52.266

2008 NASCAR Nationwide Series Standings - After Race 10 of 35
1. Clint Bowyer 1427
2. Car Edwards 1400
3. Kyle Busch 1388
4. David Reutimann 1298
5. Mike Bliss 1282
6. David Ragan 1274
7. Brad Keselowski 1252
8. Jason Leffler 1227
9. Mike Wallace 1173
10. Bobby Hamilton Jr 1055
11. Kelly Bires 1051

2008 NNS Prizemoney after 10 races:
Kelly Bires: US$322,550