Geoff Smith, head of Roush Racing, “We are committed to a rookie in the (#6) car. There are tremendous long-term business advantages to doing a program with a rookie, if the rookie can get the job done. And we expect any of our rookies to get the job done. We have been able to put four of our Gong Show drivers in rides this year to scrutinize them: Todd [Kluever]; David Ragan, splitting duties with Mark in Trucks; Erik Darnell, rookie-of-the-year leader in Trucks; and Danny O’Quinn. “One of those guys will be in the six [Cup car]. And by the time we get to Kansas City, we have to be done. We haven’t had home runs out of the box with all four, but David and Erik have done extremely well. And Danny and David are only 20 years old. So we feel very good about where we are.” Smith said he and Roush have thus canceled this year’s Gong Show.(Winston Salem Journal), look for David Ragan to run the #06 Ford in the Dover Cup race.(9-18-2006)
UPDATE: Ragan attempting Cup debut at Dover: David Ragan will attempt to make his Cup debut this weekend, competing in Roush Racing’s #06 Ford Fusion previously driven by Todd Kluever in the Dover 400 at Dover International Speedway. Ragan competes in the Craftsman Truck Series and is also driving in the Dover Busch Series race this weekend. Ragan will also make his second Busch Series start of the 2006 season in the #50 Barr-Nunn Ford Fusion when he competes in the Dover 200 on Saturday. Team owner Jack Roush said he sees a lot of potential with his young drivers. “This will give us an opportunity to evaluate David Ragan and it will also give him valuable experience running in both series at Dover,” Roush said. “Dover International Speedway is a very challenging track, but I know David will perform to the best of his ability.” (scenedaily.com)(9-18-2006)
