Brennan Newberry and the No.24 Qore-24 Hand Purifier Chevrolet Impala team traveled to Newton, Iowa looking for a strong finish in the first of two combination events for the NASCAR K&N Pro Series 2014 Schedule featuring drivers from both the East and West divisions. The teams would test their setups in dual sixty minute practice sessions on track.
During the morning’s first practice session, Newberry and Crew Chief John Monsam searched for a setup that would be fast during the long runs under the lights but also hold up during qualifying. Early in the session the No.24 Chevrolet jumped to sixth on the speed charts and Newberry was very happy with his setup. He would stay within the top ten and finished practice with a fast lap of 24.15 and was seventh on the board.
For qualifying, still operating under the classic two-lap format, Newberry knew he had a setup that would be fast under long runs, but would need to drive as aggressively as possible in order to be fast with just two circuits on track. Newberry would go out fourth and lay down a fast lap of 24.11. His lap would hold inside the top twenty, starting nineteenth for the 150 lap event.
At the drop of the green flag, Newberry and Monsam began picking their way through the competition and focusing on making sure they were there at the end to grab a great finish. Newberry had made his way up to inside the top fifteen by lap thirty and continued to pass competitors and avoid contact with multiple drivers getting together. Several cautions throughout the event, presented opportunities for disaster, but Newberry stayed “up on the wheel” on his Qore-24 Chevrolet Impala and drove through and around the trouble. During the halfway break at lap 75, Monsam made a handful of changes to help Newberry turn better in the center and that’s all the young driver needed to continue his charge to the front of the field.
When the checkered flag was shown on lap 150, Brennan Newberry and John Monsam found themselves well inside the top ten. During an event that would give championship points to drivers in both the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East and West divisions, the No.24 team shined and came home a strong sixth. The Casey’s General Stores 150 provided a lot of momentum going into the next event, the NASCAR Hall of Fame 150 and one of the sport’s most historic and famous venues, Bowman Gray Stadium.
“Iowa is always a challenge. Battling the slick track during the day and the tight surface under the lights. My Qore-24 Chevrolet Impala NTS Motorsports team overcame all of the challenges and rose to the occasion this weekend. They worked hard, under my crew chief John Monsam, to get our car perfect for the race. We had to overcome a tough qualifying spot to make it well inside the top ten. I have all the trust in the world in my team and each race weekend we improve. We are finding our stride and speed. I am looking forward to and am ready to compete at “The Madhouse” at Bowman Gray Stadium.
“This trip to Iowa was a great trip in many ways and it makes me look forward to coming back even more for the next trip. My Qore-24 Chevrolet Impala NTS Motorsports team worked very hard and we made a lot of changes during practice. We made the car a great deal better with Brennan’s input. We had a great showing during the race and brought home a great finish with a car that we can improve on. I look forward to the rest of the season with Brennan and especially going back to Iowa.”
NTS Motorsports PR
