Daniel Dye showcased his speed at Daytona International Speedway (DIS) on Friday night in his debut with MHR before finishing 21st. The driver of the No. 43 Champion Container Chevrolet Silverado RST raced towards the front of the field for most of the evening and scored a top-five finish in the second stage. He sits 19th in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series standings after the opening event.
Dye started his home race in seventh after having a great performance in qualifying. Running in the top five, Dye displayed his ability to work in the pack until a spin in the back of the group brought out the first caution of the night on lap six. During the first caution, crew chief Blake Bainbridge brought the No.43 truck in for a fuel only stop. As a result of the alternate strategy to flip the stages, Dye was scored 17th at the end of Stage 1 at lap 20.
Bainbridge’s strategy gave Dye track position to restart 11th on lap 27. Dye displayed a great ability in the draft and worked with his MHR teammates to advance into the top-five. With great communication between his spotter and crew chief, Dye navigated middle of the pack untouched and finished Stage 2 in the fourth position to earn seven valuable points.
Under the second stage caution, the Champion Container team brought Dye down pit road for four fresh tires. Dye began the final segment of the race in the 22nd position and tried to make his way back to the front of the pack. He would follow a newly formed third lane and make a charge forward. Under the lap 58 caution, Dye and the majority of the field pitted for their final fuel stop of the race. Dye continued to be in the mix with the lead draft until the final green-white checkered restart. However, he was involved in a multi-truck accident on the final lap causing significant damage which relegated him to 21st position to finish.
Daniel Dye Quote:
“I had a really good truck and was able to get some stage points. I was able to get to the front and found some speed in both lanes. I am really excited for the rest of the year. This MHR group has some great speed. It’s a shame we got caught up in that crash because I thought our Champion Container Chevrolet was really good tonight. I’m ready for Atlanta and to be able to contend for a win for more races this season.”
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