For Tony Raines and the No. 96 DLP HDTV team, the “Monster Mile” at Dover International Speedway lived up to its name in Sunday’s Neighborhood Excellence 400 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series event. Raines finished the 400-mile race in 26th, two-laps down to race winner Matt Kenseth.

After starting the race in 32nd, Raines immediately began complaining of an extremely loose machine. “This car is slicker than anything I’ve driven in a long time,” said Raines. “I can’t keep up with it. It keeps traveling away from me.”

On lap 37 while running side-by-side with the No. 32 car of Travis Kvapil, Raines could only hold on for so long. The DLP HDTV Chevy spun. Rained managed to keep it off the wall, but the end result was the first caution of the day.

Crew chief Phillipe Lopez ordered four tires and a track bar adjustment to tighten up the car, but Raines would restart the race 41st, one lap down.

However, a long green flag run was just what the doctor ordered.

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