Brainerd: Cracks in Epler's "armor" force body switch

During morning preparations for Sunday's final eliminations of the Colonel's Truck Accessories NHRA Nationals, the Etchells Racing Team discovered serious structural damage in the carbon-fiber body on Jim Epler's Cabela's/Matco Camaro. Ironically, it was the unique vinyl wrap used to create this week's look, that had hidden some of the cracks. In addition, the covering would hinder any efforts to repair the body in time for this morning's first round encounter with Bruce Sarver.

Therefore, the decision was made to switch to the Sunoco/Matco Camaro body normally run on team owner Chuck Etchells' race car. As Etchells explained, it seems areas on the car that had been previously repaired had once again cracked under the pressure of competition.

"Prior to this weekend, this particular body was the Sunoco/Matco Camaro I had raced since Englishtown. During that time, we had experienced several blower explosions which had cracked the body in several key places. Although repairs had been made to return the body to a raceable condition, some of the cracks had reopened in the last few days, which could not be properly fixed without removing parts of the Cabela's vinyl wrap. Fortunately, we have the body off my car which will fit without any modification."

-ER