Jesse Little captures career best 15th place finish in Texas debut

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Making just his third NASCAR Camping World Truck Series (NCWTS) start, Jesse Little, driver of the No. 97 Protect The Harvest Toyota Tundra, showed strength early on in the weekend, posting the eighth and fifth fastest times, respectively, in both of Thursday’s practice sessions at Texas Motor Speedway in Fort Worth. Qualifying 16th in his debut at the 1.5-mile “No Limits” track, Little ran steadily within the top-20, to secure a career-best 15th-place finish in the WinStar World Casino 350k.

 
Quickly reporting of a “loose” Toyota Tundra, crew chief Chris Carrier called the Sherrils Ford, N.C. native down pit road, under green on lap 46, for four tires, fuel and an adjustment to tighten his No. 97 machine. Having to relinquish a lap to the leaders following green flag pit stops, Little received the “Lucky Dog” award, regaining his lap, when the race’s lone caution flag waved on lap 55 for debris. Returning to pit road again, this time under caution, the 18-year-old driver received four tires and fuel, before returning to the track, back on the lead lap.
 
With an ensuing long green flag run, Little would return to pit road for a third and final time, on lap 98, for four tires, fuel and an adjustment to aid in his “loose” handling Protect the Harvest Toyota Tundra. Relinquishing two laps to the leaders in the remaining 49 laps of the WinStar World Casino 350k, Little would hold on to his 15th-place running position to score his first NCWTS career top-15 finish, behind eventual race winner, Erik Jones.
 
Quote:
“It was finally good to be able to finish a NCWTS race, get some pit stops under our belts, run in dirty air, and really just gain a ton of experience. That makes it a good day. The truck is in one piece and we learned a lot. We’re leaving Texas (Motor Speedway) with a big, thick book of notes. I feel a lot more confident to come back, and run here again next year. Plus, finishing a NCWTS race gives me more confidence for the next race.”

Thorsport PR

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