Bayne Finishes 13th in Monday Matinee at Pocono

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In: NASCAR Cup Series News

Trevor Bayne, driver of the No. 6 AdvoCare Ford Fusion, ran inside the top 15 for much of the second-half of Monday’s rain-postponed NASCAR Sprint Cup Series (NSCS) event at Pocono Raceway before taking the checkered flag in the 13th position. 

“This is a solid finish for us,” said Bayne after the race. “(Crew chief) Matt (Puccia) made a great call for two tires on that last pit stop that really gave us the track position we needed all day. Unfortunately some of the guys with fresher tires were able to work their way by us but we were solidly in the top 10 before we had to start saving fuel there toward the end. I’m just proud of my guys effort on this AdvoCare Ford. We’ll get after them again next week in Michigan.”

Rain dominated the day on Sunday afternoon, forcing NASCAR to postpone Sunday’s race until Monday afternoon, where Bayne took the green flag from the 24th position. When the race began, Bayne reported to crew chief Matt Puccia that his AdvoCare Ford needed help rolling through the third corner. Despite the handling issue, Bayne worked his way into the top 20 by the time the competition caution came out on Lap 15.

After pitting for four tires and fuel during the caution Bayne took the ensuing restart from 22nd and maintained his track position until the first round of green flag pit stops began on Lap 55. Following the stop the Roush Fenway Racing driver remained inside the top 25, battling for position with teammates Ricky Stenhouse Jr. and Greg Biffle.

Then, a rash of cautions throughout the middle portion of the event gave crew chief Puccia an opportunity to play some strategy as he would continue to have the AdvoCare Ford pit off-sequence with the race leaders. This strategy paid off as an opportune caution on Lap 117 allowed for Bayne to take right-side tires on pit road and move into the top five, taking the Lap 122 restart from the fourth position.

When the race went back green, the Knoxville, Tenn. native was forced four-wide entering the first corner but ultimately settled the AdvoCare Ford into the seventh position. Bayne remained inside the top 10 throughout much of the green flag run that followed before having to go into fuel-saving mode over the final 15 laps.

In the closing stages, Bayne would save enough fuel to make it off of the final corner and bring the AdvoCare Ford home in the 13th position.

With the result, Bayne now trails the 16th and final position in the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup championship standings by 19 points.

RFR PR

Speedway Digest Staff
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