Early On-Track Incident Ends Night Early for Paludo in Kentucky

Miguel Paludo fought a loose-handling truck throughout the weekend at Kentucky Speedway. Just as the team was making changes that helped the handling of the No. 7 Stemco/Duroline truck, Paludo was caught up in an on-track incident on lap 51. Paludo’s truck sustained heavy front-end damage, but the team was able to repair the truck and return to competition to gain two positions before the checkered flag flew.

Paludo started the Kentucky 225 from the 21st position. The first caution of the evening flew on lap three. Paludo reported to the team that the truck was too free on entry. The team debated but chose not to call the No. 7 truck to pit road. Paludo restarted the race from the 19th position on lap 12. The second caution of the night was displayed on lap 20. Under this caution period the No. 7 team did decide to bring Paludo to pit road for four tires, fuel and a track-bar adjustment. Many of the leaders chose to take on fuel only miring Paludo deep in the field for the restart on lap 25. The changes to the No. 7 truck were exactly what Paludo was looking for. In only 10 laps, Paludo had climbed from 24th to 12th.

The third caution of the evening was displayed on lap 41. Paludo reported to the team that the truck was handling much better, but was still a little too tight through the middle of the corners which was causing the truck to be too free off the corners. The team called Paludo to pit road for fuel only another track-bar adjustment. Paludo restarted the Kentucky 225 from the seventh position. Paludo fought to settle into the top-10 on the restart, coming out of turn four to complete lap 51, Paludo was pinched down by another competitor. The air then pulled the No. 7 truck around. Paludo was collected by another truck, resulting in heavy-front end damage to the No. 7 Stemco/Duroline Toyota Tundra. The team immediately went to work in the garage area to make repairs.

Paludo returned to the track on lap 88. By returning to the track and continuing to make laps, the No. 7 team was able to gain two positions, taking the checkered flag in the 25th position.

Red Horse Racing PR