Ben Kennedy Credited with 16th-Place Finish at Kentucky Speedway Following Race-Ending Accident

Ben Kennedy and the No. 11 Local Motors team rolled the black and white Toyota Tundra from the truck to the starting grid at Kentucky Speedway following a long day of rain that canceled both practice and the qualifying session. NASCAR Camping World Truck Series teams were lined up by current owner point standings per the NASCAR Rule Book for the start of the UNOH 225, with Kennedy in the 14th position. He quickly drove into the top 10 and reported a slight tight-handling condition. Crew chief Scott Zipadelli called for routine four-tire pit stops with adjustments to assist with the truck’s balance. The No. 11 team received the Lucky Dog pass during the Lap 100 caution after a pit road penalty rendered the Local Motors Toyota a lap down to the leader and in the 16th position. While running 12th, a second penalty was assessed following the Lap-129 pit stop under caution. After starting from the rear of the field, Kennedy drove back to the ninth position and was powering forward when contact in the right-rear corner of the truck as it entered Turn 1 caused it to soar into the catchfence. Kennedy climbed from the wreckage on his own and was evaluated and released from the infield care center. Due to the damage to the fence, NASCAR called the race complete at 145 laps and Kennedy was credited with a 16th-place result.

 

Start – 14

Finish – 16

Driver Points Position – 10

Laps Led – 0

 

Ben Kennedy Quote:

“I’m fine; thank the good Lord for keeping me safe and everything NASCAR does to keep these trucks safe. Had this been a few years ago, I don’t know if I would have gotten out of my truck on my own power like that. I was coming down the front straightaway and I heard clear and I guess the 92 (David Gilliland) got a run on the outside. As soon as I heard clear, I wanted to get a good arc into the corner and I started heading up towards the wall and got hit in the right rear. I guess the rest is history. I was on top of the wall for a while; you don’t know what to expect being up there. Falling down from the wall to the ground is a pretty hard hit as well. Like I said, thank the good Lord for keeping us safe out there and hope we can get them at Eldora (Speedway).”

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