Perserverance pays off for Ron Hornaday at Rockingham

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In: NASCAR Truck Series News

Ron Hornaday and his Joe Denette Motorsports team had a tough start to the inaugural NASCAR Camping World Truck Series (NCWTS) race weekend at Rockingham Speedway trying to get the No. 9 Chevrolet dialed-in. However, a never give up attitude allowed for a solid 12th-place finish in the Good Sam Roadside Assistance 200 Presented by Cheerwine on Sunday.

Starting 22nd, Hornaday battled a loose-handling Chevrolet Silverado in the opening laps of the 200-lap event. An extended green-flag run left the four-time Champion one lap down to the race leaders for much of the first half of the race.

One of the few drivers with experience at the 1.017-mile oval, Hornaday was able to execute tire management during another long green-flag run while maintaining a competitive pace. When the third caution flag was displayed at lap 122 for an accident in turn four, Hornaday found himself in a position for the “Lucky Dog.”

Back on the lead lap, Hornaday had to play catch-up for the second half of the event. As the handling started to fade on the No. 9 machine in the closing laps, contact with the wall left damage on the nose and rear quarter panel causing the Chevrolet Silverado to become tight. Hornaday would persevere in the final laps to finish 12th behind race winner Kasey Kahne.

Ron Hornaday Quotes:

“It was a long day. We struggled with being loose early on and with all the long green flag runs, we just ended up a lap down. Fought hard to get back on the lead lap and finally did just past half-way. We just got behind and never could make ground on the leaders. Towards the end of the race my truck got tight and we never could make the drive up through the field. It was unfortunate that we didn’t get to participate in the tire test here, it seems like most of the teams that did had an advantage on the field. It was a tough day and we didn’t get the results we were looking for but no one gave up and we were able to bring home a 12th-place finish.”

JDM PR

Speedway Digest Staff
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