Todd Gilliland and the No. 4 Mobil 1 team had a disappointing end to a strong run at Canadian Tire Motorsports Park with a 18th-place finish. In two NASCAR Gander Outdoors Truck Series practice sessions on Saturday morning, Gilliland posted the fastest lap in the first practice and was fifth-fastest in final practice. In two rounds of group qualifying on Sunday afternoon, Gilliland earned the second starting spot for the 64-lap race.
Early in the first stage, Gilliland pressured Brett Moffitt for the lead, but a lack of rear grip and a spin on lap 13 sent him back in field. Crew chief Wes Ward and the No. 4 team were able to make repairs and the young driver rose through the field into the top 10 in the final stage before a problem with the motor resulted in a late race pit stop and an 18th-place finish.
Stage One Recap:
- On Sunday morning, Gilliland advanced to the second round of two rounds of group qualifying and earned the second starting spot for the 64-lap event.
- Early in the first stage, the teenage driver challenged the leader, but reported that he needed more rear grip.
- With seven laps to go in the first stage, Gilliland lost control and spun and hit a tire barrier, then an uncontrolled tire on the subsequent pit stop earned him a pass-through penalty.
- Gilliland finished the first stage in 18th but remained on the lead lap. Ward opted to keep the No. 4 on track between stages to make up some track position.
Stage Two Recap:
- Gilliland began the second stage in sixth, earning positions as other vehicles made pit stops during the stage break.
- He reported to Ward that the handling of the Mobil 1 Tundra was a little bit worse, but he was still running times comparable with the leader.
- Gilliland continued to climb into the top five, as high as fourth, before Ward called him to pit road for a four-tire stop under green flag conditions with two laps to go in the stage.
- The young driver finished 20th in the second stage after pitting, but was then able to stay out during the stage caution and regain track position.
Stage Three Recap
- At the start of the final stage, Gilliland was once again in the top 10, restarting ninth and beginning to march back toward the front of the field.
- Unfortunately, he soon reported that the motor of the No. 4 Tundra was not healthy, and he needed to come to pit road.
- Gilliland was able to limp the ailing machine to the finish, ultimately crossing the line in 18th.
KBM PR
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