Fort Worth, Texas (June 9, 2006) - Leilani Münter had a very impressive run at Texas Motor Speedway today. She was quick all weekend, posting the 3rd fastest time in practice on Friday and qualifying 5th later that day. In the race she ran as high as 3rd before finishing 4th in the Konica Minolta 100.
Leilani and the 03 car of Matt Merrell raced door to door for several laps, swapping positions repeatedly. As the two drivers began to make their way through lap traffic, a debris caution came out. The lap cars were mixed in the single file restart, and it was this lap traffic that proved to be Münter's biggest problem during the race. When Münter approached the lap cars of No. 67 and No. 70 who were running door to door, she lost the lead draft making it nearly impossible for her to run down the top three cars.
"I had a problem with some lap cars that were much slower than me and they made it very difficult for me to pass," said Münter, "I felt that the professional thing to do when a much faster car comes up from behind is to give way and they didn't do that. It is a courtesy that I was not offered today. I wanted to go three wide but I was told to hang back and be cautious, we didn't want to end up with a torn up race car. Because of that I lost the lead draft and then I was on my own with no chance to run down the three cars in front of me. I was upset about that because I was running with the 03 (Merrell) up until that point and he finished 2nd. Overall I had a great race and came home with the car in one piece and a top five finish, so I am very happy."
"I want to thank Thad Felton, Doug Lege, John King, Deon Deneau, Butch Miller, Craig Davidson, Sterling Pratz, Michael Crofford, Jerry Young, Jason Young, Dennis Lege, Sherri Lege, Shelly Felton, Brandon Carswell, and Ken Smith. Without these talented guys behind me, I wouldn't have been able to show what I can do when I have a great race car under me."
"One of the most special moments was after I took the checkered flag, the safety crew and officials were along the inside wall as I was coming in to pit road," said an emotional Münter, "They were waving to me and giving me thumbs up and it meant so much to me to see how many people were pulling for me out there. It was really special. This is a day I will never forget."
Leilani set a new record in the process, she now holds the record for the highest finishing position for a female driver in the history of the 1.5 mile speedway. Texas Motor Speedway is quickly becoming one of Leilani's favorites as she now holds two records there. On June 12, 2004 Leilani set the record for the highest qualifying effort for a female stock car driver when she started 4th for the First Convenience Bank 100.
USRA Konica Minolta 100 RESULTS
1. (41) Chris Davidson, Pearland, TX
2. (03) Matt Merrell, Portland, TX
3. (29) Thad Felton, Woodlands, TX
4. (57) Leilani Munter, Charlotte, NC
5. (19) Kent Baltzell, Spring, TX
6. (79) Joe Aramendia, Seguin, TX
7. (71) Donny Kelley, New Caney, TX
8. (7) Tuffy Hudson, Ingleside, TX
9. (13) T. Wade Welch, Houston, TX
10. (70) Shawn Hunt, Houston, TX
11. (85) Thomas Tillison, Wellston, OK
12. (67) Kirby Caldwell, Beaumont, TX
13. (02) Matt Smith, Houston, TX
14. (16) Danny Pike, Red Oak, TX
15. (47) Ed Mann, Kingwood, TX
16. (99) Casey Smith, Austin, TX
17. (39) Hal Martin, Galliano, LA
18. (96) Greg Davidson, Pearland, TX
19. (88) Chad Wheeler, Muskogee, OK
20. (00) Kristin Bumbera, Sealy, TX
21. (36) Jonathan Beason, Broken Arrow, LA
22. (54) Todd McLemore, Austin, TX
USRA Konica Minolta 100 Qualifying Results
Pos. No. Name, Time, Speed
1. 96 Greg Davidson 34.910 154.683
2. 41 Chris Davidson 34.976 154.392
3. 99 Casey Smith 35.698 151.269
4. 19 Kent Baltzell 36.359 148.519
5. 57 Leilani Munter 36.454 148.132
6. 13 T. Wade Welch 36.526 147.840
7. 29 Thad Felton 36.787 146.791
8. 79 Joe Aramendia 37.325 144.675
9. 7 Tuffy Hudson 37.374 144.485
10. 03 Matt Merrell 38.067 141.781
11. 71 Donny Kelley 38.214 141.309
12. 39 Hal Martin 38.792 139.204
13. 85 Thomas Tillison 38.822 139.096
14. 67 Kirby Caldwell 39.080 138.176
15. 36 Johnathan Beason 39.185 137.808
16. 70 Shawn Hunt 39.462 136.841
17. 88 Chad Wheeler 40.097 134.673
18. 00 Kristin Bumbera 40.288 134.035
19. 47 Ed Mann 40.307 133.972
20. 02 Matt Smith 40.368 133.769
21. 54 Todd McLemore 40.369 133.766
22. 16 Danny Pike 42.891 125.901
USRA Konica Minolta 100 Practice Times
Pos. No. Name, Best Time, Speed
1. 41 Chris Davidson 35.003 154.272
2. 96 Greg Davidson 35.371 152.667
3. 57 Leilani Munter 35.980 150.083
4. 29 Thad Felton 36.001 149.996
5. 19 Kent Baltzell 36.236 149.083
6. 99 Casey Smith 36.349 148.560
7. 7 Tuffy Hudson 36.383 148.421
8. 13 T. Wade Welch 36.392 148.384
9. 79 Joe Aramendia 36.981 146.021
10. 03 Matt Merrell 38.162 141.502
11. 39 Hal Martin 38.325 140.900
12. 71 Donny Kelley 38.436 140.493
13. 85 Thomas Tillison 38.747 139.366
14. 67 Kirby Caldwell 38.918 138.753
15. 88 Chad Wheeler 39.274 137.496
16. 00 Kristin Bumbera 39.314 137.356
17. 70 Shawn Hunt 39.430 136.952
18. 36 Johnathan Beason 39.702 136.013
19. 02 Matt Smith 39.714 135.972
20. 47 Ed Mann 40.023 134.922
21. 54 Todd McLemore 40.028 134.906
22. 16 Danny Pike 42.401 127.355
MEDIA LINKS FROM TEXAS:
NASCAR.com: Münter Sets New Record for Female Drivers
Racingwest: Münter Finishes Fourth at Texas Motor Speedway
USRA Speed: Leilani Keeps Up with the Boys at TMS
Photo Gallery: Texas Motor Speedway Gallery
Texas Speed Zone: Race Recap from Texas
Radio: Listen to Leilani's Post Race Interview
Radio: Listen to Konica Minolta's Don Hsieh Interview
Radio: Listen to Leilani's Pre Race Interview
Off Site Link: Race Photos Gallery Two
Off Site Link: Race Photos Gallery Two
Off Site Link: Qualifying Gallery
Charity Event: Leilani Attending Sam Hornish Charity Bowl
Business Wire: Konica Minolta 100 Features Leilani Münter
© Copyright 2006 Leilani Münter, LLC.