Impressive Run Leaves Malsam with a Top-10 Finish in Vegas

In his third-career NASCAR Camping World Truck Series (NCWTS) start at Las Vegas Motor Speedway (LVMS), Tayler Malsam and his Turner Scott Motorsports (TSM) team had impressive speed throughout the action-packed one-day show, allowing Malsam to score a career-best qualifying position as well as a career-best LVMS finish of ninth at the 1.5-mile track.

 

Starting the 146-lap race from the third position, the No. 32 Outerwall Chevrolet Silverado became aero tight shortly after the green flag waved, causing Malsam to lose several track positions before the first caution flag waved on lap three. Dropping additional spots after the restart, Malsam told crew chief Mike Hillman Jr. that it felt like his right-rear tire was going down. Although the Outerwall Chevy continued to fall back, Malsam wheeled the machine to the best of his ability until the second caution arose on lap 15. Hillman was forced to change his strategy as he called Malsam to pit road to inspect the Silverado; after a thorough look, it was determined that a dirty grille was to blame for the extreme loose conditions of the truck. Taking four new tires and fuel, along with track-bar and wedge adjustments, Malsam rejoined the field just outside the top 20. The scheduled competition caution flag waved on lap 32 and Malsam returned to pit road for two right-side tires and fuel. Continuing to deal with loose handling conditions due to the dirty air, the TSM team helped Malsam gain 11 positions after the quick pit stop, placing the No. 32 Outerwall Chevy in the eighth spot for the restart. By lap 50, Malsam began running lap times as good as the leader. The third caution arose on lap 57 and Hillman called the No. 32 truck back to pit road for four tires, fuel and an air-pressure adjustment. Following the restart, Malsam continued to run consistent lap times with the leader and settled into the top 10 until green-flag pit stops began. Coming to pit road for a quick four-tire stop on lap 108, Malsam rejoined the field outside of the top 10 and began working his way through traffic. Only taking 10 laps for the No. 32 Outerwall Chevy to charge back into the top 10, Malsam was able to maintain position in the final 20 laps to score a ninth-place finish in Sin City. In addition to scoring his career-best finish at the Las Vegas track, this marks Malsam and his TSM team’s fourth top-10 finish in eight NCWTS starts this season.

 

Tayler Malsam on his Run at Las Vegas:

“Today definitely had its ups and downs. We spent most of our practice scuffing tires and getting the truck ready for qualifying since we couldn’t really gauge how the track would be under nighttime conditions. These guys did a great job getting our Outerwall Chevy tuned in today. It felt so good to get a third-place starting spot; we’ve been long overdue for a good qualifying run this season. We struggled tonight racing in dirty air, and it was nearly impossible to get in clean air, since the top had no grip. Hillman, my spotter and this entire Turner Scott Motorsports team did a great job tonight, and I’m pretty happy with a top-10 finish. We’ve got a few more shots to get a win this season, and I’m more determined than ever to do it.”

 

TSM PR