Coming off a 24th-place finish at Texas Motor Speedway, Eric McClure and the No. 14 Hefty®/Reynolds Wrap® team headed to Darlington Raceway to try their luck with “The Lady in Black”. Despite qualifying 30th, McClure was able to earn a track-best finish of 21st. With this finish, the team advanced one position to 24th in the Owner Standings.
When the green flag fell, McClure quickly began working his way through the field and by the completion of lap one, he was in the 26th position. However, by lap three, McClure began sliding backwards as the car became too tight and lacked front grip especially in the center of turn 2. When the caution flag waved on lap 17, the team brought the Hefty® Ultimate ™/Reynolds Wrap® Camry to pit road for four tires, fuel and an air-pressure adjustment. When the race resumed on lap 23, the Hefty®/Reynolds Wrap® team was scored in the 29th position.
During the next 30 laps, McClure was able to maintain his position despite a persistent vibration in the rear of the car. When the second caution flag waved on lap 56, McClure returned to pit road where the crew changed four tires, added fuel and made another air-pressure adjustment to help the car’s drivability in the turns. After a quick stop by the team, McClure returned to the track in the 27th position.
As the race progressed, the vibration became progressively worse. On lap 88, the caution flag waved once again allowing the team to take a gamble and remain on track to receive the wave around, placing them back on the lead lap. However, with one lap to go before the race resumed, McClure hit pit road because the car became “evil” as he was driving down the straightaway, weaving back and forth removing the marbles from his tires. Discovering a loose left-rear wheel, the team changed four tires and sent McClure back on track just as the field was entering turn three to take the green flag on lap 93. Luckily, the event’s sixth caution flag waved one lap later, allowing McClure to remain on the lead lap and catch up to the rest of the field.
During the final caution, with the rear of the car still weaving, the team decided to drop to the rear of the field to protect the car and as a result, McClure finished the VFW Sport Clips 200 in the 21st position.
Eric McClure quotes:
“I’m proud of the team tonight; it was our best race overall this season. The issues with the tire or rear end really hurt us on long runs and cost us a better finish, but still much improved. I’m really excited going forward with our guys.”
TMI PR
