Scanner Chatter: David Ragan Back in Georgia and Talking His Big Daytona Win 

Many celebrated Independence Day at Stone Mountain Park on Monday. A proud Georgian back in his home state, Unadilla’s David Ragan, making an already-scheduled appearance at an event for Ford and for the D.A.D.S. Program (Dads Appreciating Downs Syndrome), had something additional to add spring to his step. His first NASCAR Sprint Cup Series victory at Daytona International Speedway in Saturday’s Coke Zero 400 lifted a huge weight from his shoulders, after NASCAR black-flagged the 25-year-old in February’s Daytona 500 for changing lanes as the leader in the closing laps, before taking the white flag. Ragan quickly accepted the blame for his mistake, turned the page, and has stayed in the top 20 in Cup Series points. His win Saturday and 17^th place points position means that he holds one of two Chase-qualifying wild card spots, as NASCAR’s other three winners not inside the top 10 in points are outside the top 20.

But Saturday’s underdog win also means something else. While Ragan is signed with Roush Fenway racing for a couple of more years, big money sponsor UPS’ contract is up at the end of the season, and Ragan and the No. 6 team’s results since pairing with the Atlanta company in 2009 have been less-than-stellar. Previous good finishes and Saturday’s win give Ragan tempered optimism.   

“I’m not worried about the program next year. I certainly think about it some. UPS has been a great partner of ours and will continue to be,” Ragan said, before appearing on-stage before a group of fans. “They’ve got some decisions to make in the next couple of months. I think we’re on the right path to bring those guys back; we’re happy we got that win for them – that certainly helped. The Fords are the strongest they have been in a long time. Jack [Roush, owner] and I are on the same page and UPS is happy.”

Ragan talked to News/Talk WSB about his 2012 plans, his thoughts on his big win, and his opinions on both the two-car drafting and road course racing: Listen and/or Download

Be sure and listen to Captain Herb Emory, Jason Durden, and me on the Allan Vigil Ford Lincoln Speedshop on Saturdays from 12-1 p.m.,  on AM-750 and NOW 95.5 FM News/Talk WSB. Feel free to comment on what you see and hear anytime on this blog.
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