June 27, 2005

BNS Rookie Caisse Earns Top-Ten at Holland

Holland, NY: Sean Caisse is adapting well to the NASCAR Busch North Series. In only his third career start, the Pelham, NH driver broke into the top-ten this past weekend at Holland International Speedway with a 10th place finish in the Fuccillo Auto Park HUGE 150. The finish, which for the second straight week earned Caisse Sunoco "Rookie of the Race" honors, is even more impressive because the young driver had never seen Holland Speedway prior to practice and qualifying for the event.

"Holland just might be my favorite track now," said Caisse. "I love Thompson Speedway too, so the two are pretty close in my book."

"This place is very cool," continued an enthusiast Caisse. "The track is made for stock cars. With so much banking it is just what these heavier cars need. There are a couple of grooves so you can move around to find a line that is good for your car."

Caisse learned the track quickly and after some consistent laps in practice turned a qualifying lap that placed him 10th on the starting grid. In the early stages of the race Caisse ran strong within striking distance of the front-runners.

"My car was awesome from the drop of the green through about lap 55," said Caisse. "Then it changed drastically. The car kept getting looser on the long green flag runs. I buzzed the tires a few times and the rear stagger grew quite a bit. "

Later in the race, Caisse and company decided to bring the Trik Custom Sled #5 down pit road for service. With a tire rule in place, the team could not take tires; however, they made a chassis adjustment to tighten up the car. The adjustments helped but lapped traffic quickly became a factor.

"There were a lot of lapped cars mixed in with the lead lap cars," said Caisse. "They battle side-by-side for position making it harder to get back up with the lead cars."

Showing patience, Caisse waited for the right opportunities and began slowly picking his way through the traffic. With only 15 laps remaining Caisse sat in the 12th position. With six laps to go he caught and passed Ryan Seamon to break into the top ten.

" Over the last few laps we had a great battle with Ryan Moore," continued Caisse with excitement." It was pretty cool."

With each passing week Caisse gains more confidence behind the wheel and the newly formed team, that blended some of Caisses crew with that of McRaes, continues to grow more cohesive and efficient with every race.

" My crew is great," said Caisse with pride. "They gave me a great car, they worked well with me and with each other all day. It is a great feeling to be part of this race team."

Sponsorship continues to come together for the Barney McRae owned team as well. In addition to Trik Custom Sleds, Town and Country Floor Covering, Synergyn Racing Oil, Power Mist Racing Fuels, and Amazon Carpentry, Maine Drilling and Blasting joined the team starting at Holland International Speedway.

"With the controlled use of explosives, Maine Drilling & Blasting of Gardiner, ME safely fashions foundations for homes, businesses, developments, roads, bridges, underground utilities. Company crews mine the raw material for concrete and asphalt, divert rivers and streams to harness hydroelectric power."

Maine Drilling & Blasting has sculpted ski slopes and even helped with the construction of George Bushs (senior) tennis court in Kennebunkport, ME. To learn more about the company who sets earth shattering standards log on to their website at www.mdandb.com.

Caisse came away from the Fuccillo Auto Park HUGE 150 with more than just a top-ten finish; he felt that he had earned some respect from some of the veterans.

"This weekend after qualifying I was sitting on pit road talking with Mike Stefanik," said Caisse. "We talked about race strategy. He was very helpful to me not only because he gave me straight answers but because I felt that he was truly interested in helping me and my team."

With the mentoring from great drivers like Stefanik and Mike Olsen, who has been very helpful, Caisse will surely continue his steady progression in the ranks of the Busch North Series.

On Monday, June 27, 2005 his training will continue with a test session in Loudon at New Hampshire International Speedway.

The Busch North Series will enjoy a few weeks off before returning to racing action on July 9, 2005 for the Busch North Series 150 at Lake Erie Speedway in North East, PA. This will be another first time experience as Caisse will make his first-ever appearance at the Speedway.