Dye Crosses the Line Third in a Wild Ending at Talladega

Daniel Dye earned another track-best result at Talladega Superspeedway after his third-place finish Friday afternoon. The driver of the No. 43 NAPA Nightvision Chevrolet Silverado RST took the newly formed top lane on the final lap to earn a podium result. Dyes finish gives him his second best result this season with the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series.

Dye began the day at Talladega in the 35th position after being unable to post a lap in qualifying. He used this as an opportunity and spent the first stage trying to from a third lane. After gaining 17 positions, Stage 1 concluded on lap 20 with him in 19th-place.

Crew chief Blake Bainbridge brought Dye to pit road under the stage caution to help fix the loose conditions of his Chevrolet. With four tires, fuel, and a track bar adjustment Dye began the second stage on lap 27 in 18th-place. The next ten laps saw the Daytona born driver move up into the pack when the caution waived bringing Stage 2 to an end on lap 40. Not needing tires, Bainbridge brought Dye back to pit road for a splash of fuel only.

With a quick stop, Dye began the final segment for the Love’s RV Stop 225 on lap 47 on the outside of the front row. Dye maintained the second position until the green flag pit cycle began on lap 57. A crowded pit road entry under green forced Dye to make one additional lap and pit on lap 58. Dye was not out of the pack for too long as the caution appeared shortly thereafter on lap 62. When the field went back to green on lap 68, Dye was in the 14th position until a problem occurred two laps later. As a wreck was forming in front of the No. 43 Chevy, Dye slowed up to avoid the carnage when he was hit from behind resulting in damage that needed repairs.

With fresh tires and a repaired left rear fender, he returned to the field in the 21st position for the final 10 laps. On the final lap, Dye was committed in bump drafting MHR teammate Tyler Ankrum into the fray with the checkers in sight. A multi-truck incident ensued, collecting Dye and several others. Despite the incident, he spun across the line in third position for the second-best finish of his career.

Daniel Dye Quote:

“Definitely a wild day at Talladega. I had a good time running up front and leading some laps in our No. 43 NAPA Nightvision Silverado. I appreciate everyone’s hard work and support to help us get this result. We are ready to get to Homestead in a few weeks.”

MHR PR