Johnny Sauter, driver of the No. 13 Safe Auto/Curb Records Chevrolet Silverado, started the Kentucky 225 at Kentucky Speedway in 17th position losing speed on the qualifying run. The former Kentucky pole winner went on to lead laps and hang in the top 10, but pit road speeding penalties and competitor contact with 20 laps to go relegated a 14th place finish. Maintaining the third place in driver championship points going into Las Vegas Motor Speedway, team 13 is ready to rise above the challenges. Just 19 points separates the top spot occupied by Austin Dillon, second spot of James Buescher and Sauter’s third.
“The truck was really plowing there at the beginning of the race, but the guys rallied and we made a gamble on fuel at the midpoint. It helped us to lead some laps for bonus points, but it’s a shame to get a pit road penalty for speeding. When we had to fix the bumper cover after contact with the 18 truck, it just killed our night. We’re not out of this championship hunt – actually, far from it. This is just beginning, going into Vegas, where I won two years ago.”
As early as lap three, Sauter radioed to the box that he was “plowing throughout and bouncing into three and four.” He maintained his position, moving up to 11th position and staying for fifty laps. Sauter went on to lead laps 67-71 on a fuel mileage strategy call by the crew chief. After a fast pit stop on lap 112, Sauter encountered a pit road penalty for speeding on exit – forcing a pass through and putting him a lap down in traffic.
Shortly after, he had contact with the 18 truck that required a bumper cover fix by NASCAR officials. After battling back from the woes, Sauter crossed the checkers in 14th position for the night. “That’s racing. We’ll come back to Las Vegas with confidence, because it’s a place we compete well and win races.”
He sits in third place in the the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series driver championship points lead, 19 points behind Austin Dillon and James Buescher, going into Las Vegas Motor Speedway on October 15th.
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