John Mandere recorded his best INSSA finish at the last event. His wife missed it along with his other fans who went for cover in the rain. Crew members celebrated using cell phones.

Mandere’s team debuted a new 2006 Chevy Monte Carlo SS for the season during pre-season practice and has worked on finding a set-up comfortable for Mandere who started driving in 2001.

Mandere commented that the car had more “horses” than he expected. Crew chief Dallas Allen is working with Mandere to find a combination that allows his driving style to apply the car’s horsepower on the track.
Mandere said his only disappointment in the finish was that his wife, Denise, and daughter Megan left before the race started due to rain and missed his performance. Ecstatic team members updated fans that ran for cover during the brief precipitation on Mandere’s accomplishments celebrating on cell phones after the race.