Dollar General Tundra Earns Adventurous Victory at Chicagoland

With Chase for the Sprint Cup Media Day going on at the same time as NASCAR Camping World Truck Series practice on Thursday afternoon, Erik Jones was called upon to practice the Dollar General Tundra for Kyle Busch. Busch was prepared to qualify the No. 51 Toyota on Friday afternoon, but when rain cancelled the session and delayed the start of the Lucas Oil 225 until Saturday evening, he was forced to start at the back of the pack of the field per the NASCAR rule book for making a driver change.

 

The talented wheelman worked his way up to the third position by the time the competition caution waved at lap 30, but was nabbed for speeding exiting the pits and was sent to the rear once again. This time, Busch quickly made his way back to the front and took the lead for the first time on lap 52.  The team surrendered over a four-second lead to make a scheduled stop on lap 110, but a lengthy stop and untimely caution after returning to the track left them one lap down with just under 40 laps remaining.

 

After taking the wave around, the Dollar General Tundra restarted from the eighth spot on lap 118. Four laps later the Las Vegas native had advanced up to the runner-up position and on lap 134 made his way around Austin Dillon for the race lead. Busch distanced himself from the field in the closing laps to earn his sixth Truck Series victory in eight starts this season. When it was all said and done, the No. 51 Toyota had passed an amazing 59 lead-lap trucks en route to the triumph.

 

“I knew we were going to have a fast Dollar General Tundra tonight, the guys have done a really nice job this year,” said Busch, who collected his fourth Truck Series victory in five starts at Chicagoland. “This was a true testament of what this team is all about, where we’ve come and what we’re all about this year with the support that we’ve got and everybody that works so hard at TRD (Toyota Racing Development).  It’s a good one for us to be in, but it’s going to be Erik Jones’ chance here the next few races and I’ll get back at the end and see if we can’t win an owner’s championship.”

 

Busch picked up his 41st career NASCAR Camping World Truck Series victory and it marked his 137th National Series victory. Matt Crafton finished 1.129 seconds behind him in the runner-up position. Dillon, Tyler Reddick and Jeb Burton rounded out the top-five finishers.  Darrell Wallace Jr., driver of KBM’s No. 54 ToyotaCare Tundra, finished sixth.

 

The 15th race of the 2014 season featured three cautions for a total of 14 laps. There were 17 lead changes among eight drivers, including Busch who led three times for a race-high 66 laps. The No. 51 gained two positions in the Owner’s point standings and is currently four points behind the series leading No. 88 team. 

 

Jones returns to the wheel of the No. 51 ToyotaCare Tundra when the Truck Series resumes action at New Hampshire Motor Speedway in Loudon on Saturday, Sept.  20. Live coverage of the UNOH 175 will air on Fox Sports 1 beginning with the Truck Series Setup Show at 1 p.m. ET.

 

KBM PR