Gilford, N.H. native Cory Joyce and the No. 39 Caplin Family (CF) Charities Chevrolet team finished 21st at New Hampshire Motor Speedway on Saturday, September 21, in the driver’s NASCAR K&N Pro Series East debut. The 21-year-old, who grew up just 20 miles from the track, was racing three-wide for the 10th position when he was involved in an accident forcing him to retire from the 100-lap event.
Racing at New Hampshire Motor Speedway for the first time in his career, Joyce prepared for Saturday’s North American Power 100 with a 90-minute practice session. The team worked through a variety of setup options as Joyce became comfortable behind the wheel, and the No. 39 CF Charities Chevrolet team learned the young driver’s style. After ranking 21st in practice, Joyce got loose during his qualifying attempt to secure the 29th starting position on Friday afternoon.
Competing for the first time in a K&N Pro Series East stock car, Joyce spent the early laps of the race trying to learn. Running both the high line and low line, Joyce evaluated his car during the early laps to provide feedback and improve the No. 39 CF Charities Chevrolet. With a loose car, Joyce changed the balance of his brakes and came down pit road for a trackbar adjustment during the opening caution period.
Things got dicey on the track when a multi-car wreck broke out between turns one and two. Joyce went high to avoid the accident, but got turned from behind and was sent spinning across the track. Avoiding any additional contact, Joyce was able to continue in the event and raced up to the 12th position. The fourth caution flag of the day on lap 44 led to the halfway break where teams were able to take 10 minutes to change tires and make adjustments to their cars. Joyce evaluated the handling of his car and dissected the corners of the 1.058-mile track. The CF Charities team made a series of adjustments, and the changes helped Joyce navigate the corners and continue his forward charge.
On lap 76, Joyce was engaged in a three-wide battle with the No. 34 and No. 89 car for the 10th position. Racing in the top groove, the competitor in the lowest groove (No. 34) moved up the track causing contact with the car in the middle groove (No. 89). The No. 89 car pushed into Joyce’s CF Charities Chevrolet as the No. 34 was turned sideways in front of Joyce. With severe damage to the nose of his car, Joyce retired from the event and was credited with a 21st-place finish.
“Obviously it wasn’t the finish we wanted, but I had such a great time at New Hampshire Motor Speedway this weekend,” commented Joyce. “Our No. 39 CF Charities Chevrolet team prepared a great car, and I was able to get a lot of seat time and learn a lot about these race cars. It was very special to me to be able to make my NASCAR K&N Pro Series East debut at my home track. The support that I had from everyone-from my sponsor CF Charities and the Caplin family, to my parents, to my friends and family in the area-made this an unforgettable experience. We need to gather some additional funding, but I hope to be back in the K&N Pro Series again next season.”
CJR PR
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