For the 2nd time in 4 ARCA starts this year, mechanical gremlins bit the BeasleyAllen.com car, terminating a great run at Michigan International Speedway Friday evening. Grant & Howard Bixman made the decision to forgo a high qualifying position by setting the car up for long runs, and that strategy worked to perfection. Grant knew the car would be very loose during the first few laps, counting on the car settling in for long runs. “The car was scary loose but very fast. I could eat up cars during the turns and could pass cars high, low and in the middle. The car was a handful to drive but fun to race.”

Grant started the 200 mile race in 17th place and by the time of the first caution, just over 30 laps into the race, had advanced to 5th place. The BeasleyAllen.com car was the fastest car on the track and the Speed TV commentators noted that Grant would likely be one of the contenders at the end of the race. However, coming off turn 2 shortly after the pit stop, Grant reported the engine quit running. He noticed there was no voltage being produced and slowly rolled into the pits while the rest of the field blew past at more than 170 miles per hour. The pit crew changed the battery, located under the left rear wheel well, in less than 5 minutes but that put Grant 4 laps down. He decided to go back on the track even though he knew he had no real chance to win the race. When he got back up to speed, he again became the fastest car on the track. Shortly after that, Grant noticed that the battery was not being charged, leading he and Howard to realize the alternator was really dead. Grant then took the car to the garage.

PIT STOP AT MICHIGAN SPEEDWAY FRIDAY

“We did everything we were supposed to do. The crew performed perfectly. I drove the car from a middle of the pack starting position to the front. Racing parts are under incredible stress and sometimes they just fail. I am disappointed but know that what happened was outside our control. We will be ready for the next race at Iowas July 10th. I appreciate my entire crew coming in from all over the country and working so well.”