Miguel Paludo had never laid eyes on Nashville Superspeedway until this past weekend. He took his time and began to learn how to go fast around the 1.33-mile superspeedway. However, an on-track incident early in the race left him one lap down to the leaders making it tough to recover.
“It was a tough day for us,” Paludo said after the race. “We didn’t have the qualifying position like we wanted. Before the first pit stop, I felt like we were too loose but we were going to be ok. Once we received the damage to our truck it hurt us, but I learned a lot this weekend. I look forward to coming back in July to use some of the things we have learned.”
Paludo started the 150-lap event from the 28th starting position, but slowly began to work his way up through the field at Nashville Superspeedway. The race went on a long green-flag run to begin the event. Paludo followed the trucks in front of him learning how to traverse the treacherous turns at Nashville. Paludo kept the leader at bay until the first round of pit stops began to cycle through beginning on lap 50. The No. 7 team called Paludo to pit road on lap 56, but another competitor in front of them came to an abrupt stop on the track. Paludo was able to get the No. 7 truck slowed down as not to make contact, but another competitor did not and ran into the left-rear quarter panel of the vehicle leaving the No. 7 team with damage. The team continued down pit road for four tires, fuel and to repair the quarter panel.
The first caution of the event came on lap 57, capturing Paludo one lap down to the leaders. Under the caution period the team brought Paludo back down pit road to assess the damage to the truck and make further repairs. Paludo restarted the race on lap 63 scored in the 22nd position. Trying to become the first truck one lap behind the leaders and eligible for the lucky dog award, Paludo maneuvered through lap traffic. Despite having an ill-handling race truck the No. 7 moved into the 20th spot on lap 68.
Paludo reported to crew chief Rick Gay that the truck was very loose when he got behind another truck. Paludo was learning the nuances of an aero-loose condition. The caution waved for the second time of the evening on lap 77. Paludo was a few trucks away from being the lucky dog and receiving his lap back from the leaders. The team brought the truck to pit road for four tires, fuel and a chassis adjustment. On lap 90, Paludo’s truck became extremely loose underneath another competitor.
The Brazilian native made an incredible save losing only a few positions before collecting the truck and resuming competition. As the laps wound down Paludo fought to be the first truck one lap down to the leaders. The No. 7 truck ran lap times comparable to the top 10 trucks, but was caught one lap down and unable to advance his position. On old tires the No. 7 became tight and Paludo crossed the finish line in the 27th position.
Red Horse Racing PR
- Talladega Superspeedway Weekend Schedule - April 14, 2024
- Odd Tony Stewart Talladega Post Race Q&A - May 7, 2012
- Team Chevy Post Talladega Race Rundown - May 7, 2012