Landon Cassill and the No. 51 Security Benefit/Thank a Teacher Today Chevrolet team finished 35th during Sunday’s STP 400 at the 1.5-mile Kansas Speedway after being bumped into the wall on Lap 120. The team was forced behind the wall for repairs after the accident, but returned to secure the 35th-place finish.
For Cassill and the team, the finish was disappointing after proving to have a fast car earlier in the week. The No. 51 Security Benefit/Thank a Teacher Today Chevrolet was a top-10 car during final practice on Friday. They qualified 24th on Saturday and felt good about their car heading into the 400-mile event.
At the start of the race, Cassill dropped back to 30th fighting the handling of his car. Cassill was able to maintain the position for the opening 50 laps, but fell one lap behind the leaders. The team ran consistent lap times and were able to get back on the lead lap by the 100-lap mark.
Cassill had moved to 29th and was looking to move forward when he was hit by Marcos Ambros and the No. 9 machine coming off the Fourth Turn. Cassill’s car was sent right-side first into the outer wall causing severe damage to the front and side of the car. The team quickly called for Cassill to go into the garage for repairs.
The crew made repairs and sent Cassill back on the track for addtional positions and points. He was able to bring the car back to the checkered in 35th after gaining as many positions possible.
“It sure was disappointing,” said Cassill. “We weren’t great at the start, but we were getting better as the race started going. We were back on the lead lap and things just got close on the restart. Guys were sliding around and we just got collected into the wall. We don’t know where we could have finished, but it’s not the result we wanted today.”
Brad Keselowski won the event by fuel mileage beating Dale Earnhardt Jr. who was closing during the final 10 laps. It is Keselowski’s second Sprint Cup win.
The No. 51 Security Benefit/Thank a Teacher Today team now prepare for the triangular-shaped Pocono Raceway for next Sunday’s Pocono 500. The team, sitting 31st in Owner Points, is a guaranteed starter for the event.
Breaking Limits/Phoenix Racing PR
