NASCAR Sprint-Cup Series
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CUP: Ragan To Remain In UPS Car For 2011
Roush Fenway Racing President Geoff Smith says driver and sponsor will stay put next NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season...
Bob Pockrass  | http://www.scenedaily.com  |  Posted May 31, 2010   Charlotte, NC
David Ragan is in 24th position in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series points after the Coca-Cola 600. (Photo: Getty Images)
While rumors swirl that David Ragan and sponsor UPS might be on the move, Roush Fenway Racing President Geoff Smith said he expects the No. 6 car to have the same driver and sponsor in 2011 as it does now.

UPS has a contract through 2011 with Roush Fenway and Ragan has a contract that includes options for 2011.

“I don’t know what point a rumor is gibberish, but that’s gibberish,” Smith said Sunday at Charlotte Motor Speedway about rumors of changes with the No. 6 car. “What that is is wishful thinking by people who don’t have sponsors. David Ragan does a really good job with UPS and we’re hoping that his youth will mature on the race track.”

So does Smith anticipate Ragan being in the UPS car in 2011?

“Anticipation sounds like I’m hopeful,” Smith said. “I’m expecting. I have a contractual expectation that they will be here. I have an anticipation that David’s on-track activity will improve over the year.”

Ragan had a solid second full Cup season in 2008 when he finished 13th in the standings. He struggled last year by finishing 27th in the standings and is 24th after the Coca-Cola 600 on Sunday at CMS. Most of the No. 26 team that worked with Jamie McMurray last year, including crew chief Donnie Wingo, is now working with Ragan this year. Only two crewmen who were working with Ragan last year are working with him this year.

The other Roush Fenway teams have had more stability and all are in the top 12 in points. But no Roush Fenway driver has won this year and only two made the Chase last year.

“Jack [Roush] and Geoff believe in our team – we all know we can get the job done,” Ragan said. “I’m sure it sounds like a broken record from a lot of guys in the Ford camp that we’re working hard. I’m working as hard as I can not to make mistakes as a driver but also working with Donnie and our team to be faster.
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“No one is blind to the fact that we’ve got to win some races and we’ve got to get certainly our UPS Ford in victory lane and a Ford, period, in victory lane. We’re working hard. I’m glad to be on a team with people believing in me. That helps my confidence as a driver.”

Smith said as a young driver, the 24-year-old Ragan will struggle more as the team struggles.

“It’s harder on the new guy, the youngest and less experienced when your whole platform is not [performing],” Smith said. “As we try to sort through what the right solution is, that puts more pressure on the [younger driver] than when we were all sorted out. Like we were a couple of years ago, David advanced right with us.”

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