Gray Gaulding and the No. 20 Krispy Kreme Doughnuts Chevrolet team led a race high 53 laps in Friday’s Granite State 100 before a right front tire failure all but took Gaulding out of contention.
Gray Gaulding posted the 13th quickest time in Thursday’s opening sixty minute practice session with a fast time of 30.477 at 125.096 mile per hour. Gray commented that he was really good in turns one and two but needed help over the bumps getting into turn three.
After a thirty minute break, Gaulding and the entire field got back on track for the final sixty minute practice session. Gaulding got back on track and really like the changes Doug made during the break. After turning 27 laps, Gaulding posted the 7th quickest time of a 29.966 at 127.104 mile per hour.
The final order of business for Thursday would be two lap qualifying. Gaulding slated to go out 17th of 32 cars to make his attempt at the 21 Means 21 Pole Award. With a fast time of 29.791 at 127.851 miles per hour Gaulding would line his No.20 Krispy Kreme Doughnuts Chevrolet on the inside of row three.
When the green flag dropped just after 6:00pm Friday evening, Gaulding emerged running third on lap one. As the field went to single file, Gaulding held on to third when the first caution came out at lap 19. The green flag flew once again at lap 23 and as the field went into turn one Gaulding looked for the lead. When the field came back around Gaulding had moved into second and took over the lead on the following lap.
The second caution flag flew at lap 30. The field went back to green at lap 34, Gaulding held on to the lead maintaining a 7-10 car length lead over second. The third caution flag flew at lap 43, after a quick cleanup the field went back to green at lap 46. After a short five lap run the fourth caution flag flew at lap 51 for the halfway break.
During the break, Gaulding radioed in saying he was really good on short runs but after five to six laps started getting tight. The green flag flew once again at lap 52. Gaulding pulled to a 12-15 car length lead and radioed saying I’m only running 70%, just taking care of these tires. Gaulding’s right front tire failed on lap 79 forcing him into the outside wall in turns one and two and bringing out the fifth caution of the evening. Gaulding was able to come down pit road and replace the right front tire before loosing a lap.
Gaulding would restart at the tail end of the field in 27th when the green flag dropped at lap 84. Gaulding immediately started a charge back to the front and cracked inside the top-15 just as the sixth caution flag came out at lap 86. The field received the green at lap 89 and Gaulding once again made a charge towards the front. Gaulding moved into 13th just as the seventh and final caution flag flew at lap 93. Gaulding made a final charge as the green flag flew at lap 95. Gaulding was able to crack inside the top-10 and bring home an 8th place finish.
The next race for Gray and the No.20 Krispy Kreme Doughnuts Chevrolet team will be Saturday, July 19th at Columbus Speedway in the JEGS 150.
From the Driver’s Seat with Gray Gaulding:
“I really thought today was our day, everything seemed to be going our way and we never went in the wrong direction. The car was a little tight at the beginning but Doug made the right calls during the break and the car was dialed in after the break. I hate it for all my guys but we’re knocking on the door week in and week out.”
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