Paludo Survives Wreck-Filled Race to Finish 21st at Martinsville Speedway

Miguel Paludo made it through a wreck-filled race at Martinsville Speedway, ending the day with one of the few trucks to not sustain major damage. However, losing a lap early in the event and a mid-race spin hurt the No. 32 AccuDoc Solutions team, and by the time Paludo regained his lap, there were only enough laps remaining to salvage a 21st-place finish.

 

After feeling good about the balanced handling of the AccuDoc Chevrolet Silverado in both practice sessions, the Turner Scott Motorsports crew was surprised and disappointed by a 20th-place qualifying effort, but they felt hopeful when Paludo relayed in the opening laps that his truck was “perfect.” Able to work his way up to 15th by lap 12, the tide turned on lap 30 when Paludo reported that his truck was now free in the middle and back to the gas. Trapped behind a pack of lapped traffic, the Brazilian quickly dropped back to 21st and lost a lap to the leader on lap 53.

 

When the caution flag waved on lap 70 for a spin, crew chief Jeff Hensley called his driver down pit road to battle his free condition. The team serviced the No. 32 Silverado with four tires, fuel and a major track-bar adjustment, sending it back onto the track in 23rd for the lap 77 restart. Following the adjustments, Paludo radioed to his crew that his truck was good on entry but loose off. Unfortunately, the rough, tight-quarters racing resulted in Paludo’s truck spinning and bringing out the yellow on lap 92. Without sustaining any damage, Paludo was able to continue his run without necessitating any tires or repairs.

 

Over the next 90 laps, Paludo kept his truck out of trouble for a rash of six cautions, but the high number of trucks caught a lap down prevented him from getting back on pace with the leaders. Finally, on lap 189 of 200, Paludo was running 23rd and in the free pass position when a large wreck unfolded at the front of the field. Paludo was awarded his lap back, but a long cleanup effort left the field with only six laps remaining after the green flag waved. Paludo was able to battle his way up two spots, ultimately crossing the finish line in 21st.

 

“Today was frustrating,” said Paludo. “We went down a lap early in the race, and you can’t make any progress when you’re not on the same lap as the leaders. It’s disappointing that we couldn’t come back and compete the way we did in the spring. I’m ready to move to on Texas; we’ve run well there in the past and we’re bringing a great truck. Hopefully a great run next week can get us back in the top five in the points and help us to finish the season strong.”

 

Paludo now sits in a three-way tie for sixth in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series (NCWTS) Driver Point Standings, ten points behind the top five. The NCWTS next heads to Texas Motor Speedway for the second round of ‘No Limits’ racing in 2013. The WinStar World Casino 350 will air on FOX Sports 1 at 8:00 p.m. EDT on Friday, November 1.

TSM PR