Ben Kennedy and the Jacob Companies Team Finish 23rd at Daytona

In the season-opening event at his home track, Daytona International Speedway, Ben Kennedy and the No. 11 Jacob Companies/Florida Lottery Toyota Tundra team started in the 31st position and finished in 23rd. On Thursday afternoon at the Daytona Beach, Florida facility, Kennedy posted the third fastest and ninth fastest speeds in the two practice sessions in the blue and white machine. On Friday, the Daytona Beach, Florida native was unable to make a lap in the first round of knockout qualifying as an oil line parts failure caused him to abort the run. Kennedy took the green flag under the lights in 31st, but after a pit stop to top off on fuel on the first caution at lap 4, he stayed out under the next caution and moved up to the fourth position. Kennedy paired with teammate Timothy Peters and the duo moved to second and third. Crew chief Scott Zipadelli called Kennedy to pit road under green as the 20-minute caution clock wound down, for two Goodyear tires and Sunoco fuel. After completing the pit stop, the caution flag flew for a wreck on lap 42, but Kennedy stayed out and restarted in the third position, right behind the No. 17 of Peters. Under a caution for debris with 35 laps to go, Kennedy again topped off with fuel, and restarted in the ninth position. With just seven laps remaining in the 100-lap event, the No. 11 was involved in the “Big One” and was relegated to a 23rd-place finish.
 
Start – 31
Finish – 23
Driver Points Position – 21
Laps Led – 0
 
Ben Kennedy Quote:                                            
“We had an awesome Jacob Companies/Florida Lottery Tundra all weekend, but we just had a little bad luck and weren’t able to get the finish we wanted. Other than the result, it was a great weekend and a good start to the season. These Red Horse Racing guys have worked really hard and I can’t wait to get to Atlanta (Motor Speedway) next weekend and see what we can do. We had a good run there last year and I’m excited to see what we can do this year.”

RHR PR