AAA Motorsports
Ragan Rides No. 6 AAA Ford to Successful Rookie Season
When David Ragan began the 2007 NEXTEL Cup Series as driver of the No. 6 AAA Ford Fusion, his racing resume was scrutinized against that of his famous predecessor Mark Martin. Over 19 seasons, Martin drove Roush Fenway Racing's No. 6 Ford to 35 wins, 230 top-five finishes and 39 pole positions in 617 starts.
Enter 21-year-old David Ragan, who made just two NEXTEL Cup Series starts in 2006. Ragan made an immediate impression by finishing fifth in the season -opening Daytona 500 - after starting 35th in the 43-car field. Over the next 35 races, Ragan won the hearts and minds of AAA members - and race fans everywhere - with his fast-learning approach on the track and his fan-friendly demeanor off of it.
Ragan ended his rookie season with a very-respectable 10th-place finish in the Ford 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway. His season statistics included two top-five finishes (he placed third at Richmond International Raceway in September) and a 23rd-place ranking in the final championship point standings. Ragan collected more than $4.7 million in prize money and finished second in the Raybestos Rookie of the Year award standings, behind international star Juan Pablo Montoya.
Along the way, Ragan took time from his busy racing schedule to speak with teen drivers about the importance of traffic safety. Ragan made public appearances in Florida, Nevada, Texas, Virginia, New York, Michigan, Kansas and Arizona to speak with the media and deliver AAA's safe driving message to teen drivers.
"My rookie season has been a year of ups and downs and many lessons learned," said Ragan. "Some were learned the hard way, but the mistakes I made will make me a better race car driver in the future.
"I can not thank my team, my sponsors and Roush Fenway Racing enough for the opportunity to do what I love for a living. I am definitely looking forward to the 50th running of the Daytona 500 and my 2008 sophomore season."
Ragan gets his chance to apply those lessons learned, when the 2008 season begins February 17th at Daytona International Speedway.
| David Ragan's 2007 season by the numbers: |
|---|
| Starts: | 36 |
| Top-five finishes: | 2 |
| Top-10 finishes: | 3 |
| Best Start: | 4th (Bristol Motor Speedway, August 25, 2007) |
| Best Finish: | 3rd (Richmond International Raceway, September 8, 2007) |
| Laps Led: | 2 |
| Winnings: | $4,726,899 |
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