Joey Coulter Claims 12th-Place Finish at Kansas

Before the 2014 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series season began in February, Joey Coulter circled Friday night’s race at Kansas Speedway on his calendar. Coming off three strong performances in his previous Truck Series events at the Midwest track, Coulter continued his impressive streak once again as the No. 21 Vertx Chevrolet finished in the 12th position.

“Our Vertx Chevrolet was decent all night,” said Coulter. “We fought a tight condition for most of the race, but my GMS Racing team got it hooked up in the second half. Even though we should have finished a few spots better, I’m proud of my team for fighting to the end. Many thanks to Vertx for joining us at the track and I’m looking forward to the rest of the season with their support.”

 

After moving to the final round of knockout qualifying, Coulter placed his Vertx Silverado in the 10th starting position. During the opening 50 laps of the SFP 250, Coulter reported to Crew Chief Jeff Stankiewicz the No. 21 Chevrolet was struggling on entry and tight center off. The 23-year-old came to the attention of his pit crew for four tires, fuel, wedge and track bar adjustments. A solid stop by the Vertx team allowed Coulter to restart from ninth-place on lap 55.

 

By lap 75, Coulter had driven into the sixth position and clocked his fastest lap of the race. With the previous changes on pit road helping, Coulter broke into the top-five a short 10 laps later. Over the next 30 circuits, the Miami Springs, Florida native continued to compete with the leaders at the front of the field. As a caution slowed the pace on lap 126, Coulter visited pit road for four tires, fuel, air pressure adjustment, and tape on the grill to help with the tight condition in the center.

 

Restarting from fourth-place, Coulter continued to run inside the top-six before his Vertx Chevrolet suddenly ran out of fuel with two laps remaining. Coasting to pit road in the closing laps, Coulter was able to re-fire his Silverado and cross the finish line in the 12th position.

 

GMS Racing PR