Southern 500 notebook: Roush's Ragan eyes turnaround

FLORENCE — After finishing 13th in Cup points last year, David Ragan had high hopes entering 2009.

So far, though, things haven’t gone according to plan.

Ragan finished sixth at Daytona, but hasn’t had a top five since the season opener and comes into Saturday’s Southern 500 at Darlington 23rd in points.

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“We’ve already had two engine failures this year, haven’t been as fast as we should have been and have had some bad racing luck,” Ragan said Thursday during an appearance at the QVC warehouse. “This is the time that’s more important than ever to get back in the top 12 in points.”

Ragan hopes that begins this weekend.

The Georgia native finished fifth here last year, his best finish in four Sprint Cup and Nationwide appearances at the track.

“Darlington is a fun place. I always enjoyed watching it on TV and it’s fun to come down here and race,” Ragan said.

Darlington’s top moment

In a poll conducted on darlingtonraceway.com, Ricky Craven’s win over Kurt Busch in the 2003 Carolina Dodge Dealers 400 was voted as the most memorable moment in Darlington history.

More than 5,000 fans participated in the poll. Craven defeated Busch by .002 seconds, which is the smallest margin of victory in NASCAR history.

“Moments like these keep race fans coming back to Darlington Raceway year after year,” Darlington Raceway president Chris Browning said. “The racing at Darlington is exciting and unpredictable. Fans know that any race at Darlington could be the one that’s talked about for years to come.”

Bill Elliott’s win in the 1985 Southern 500, which clinched the first-ever Winston Million bonus, was second in the poll. Jeff Gordon’s first career win at Darlington in the 1995 Southern 500 was third.

Waltrip’s future

David Reutimann doesn’t know what his boss and teammate Michael Waltrip is planning to do next season.

Two weeks ago at Talladega, Waltrip said he was undecided whether he will be behind the wheel for his 26th season or dedicate himself to the business side of Michael Waltrip Racing.

Waltrip is 24th in points coming into Saturday’s Southern 500.

“I don’t know. A lot of it depends on how he’s feeling and if he wants to do another year or not,” Reutimann said. “I like having him as a teammate. He’s my boss and formed this deal.

“Whatever happens, I just hope it’s his choice.”

700 club

Hendrick Motorsports will be in search of a milestone in Saturday’s race.

If any of its four drivers finish in the top five in the Southern 500, it will be the organization’s 700th in Sprint Cup competition.

Since 1984, Hendrick drivers have scored 178 wins, 699 top-five finishes and 1,154 top-10s. Hendrick has the most top-five finishes among active teams.

A win Saturday also would give Rick Hendrick his 12th at Darlington. He’s tied with Junior Johnson for most wins by an owner at the track.

Junior’s drink

AMP Energy has announced the launch of Tradin’ Paint, a new limited time only Dale Earnhardt Jr.-themed energy drink. The beverage is a collision of three flavors: Orange, Lime and Berry.

The drink is available in stores until the end of summer.

Briefly
Greenville’s Jason Keller will look to become the first Nationwide driver to surpass 5,000 miles at Darlington. He goes into today’s race with 4,914. ... Brad Keselowski will return to racing this week, driving the No. 25 car for Hendrick Motorsports. He won two weeks ago at Talladega driving for James Finch. ... Robert Giles will take over crew chief duties in the No. 23 Nationwide Series car driven by Robert Richardson. ... Tony Raines will take over in the No. 34 car for John Andretti for the next three races as Andretti attempts to run the Indianapolis 500.