Brennan Newberry and the No.24 Qore-24 team returned to Greenville Pickens for the second time this season, at the historic South Carolina short track. After a disappointing finish, in the earlier race in March, NTS Motorsports as an organization prepared for the Kevin Whitaker Chevrolet 140 with a full day of testing on Thursday, August 28th. Upon arrival in Easley, South Carolina, the first challenge of the day was working through the heat and humidity which resulted in continuous search for grip throughout the event. During the first of two short practice sessions, Newberry and No.24 Crew Chief John Monsam worked on finding forward drive and rear grip and began formulating a blueprint focused on longer runs, anticipating few cautions throughout the 140 lap race. At the end of the first 45 minute session, Newberry was listed just outside of the top ten in eleventh after a fast time of 21.579. The final round of practice was open for only 30 minutes, yet during that time the NTS Motorsports driver turned 36 circuits, as Monsam was eager to see how the Qore-24 Chevrolet would hold up on the long runs, and Newberry ended up with one of the most consistent cars in those long runs.
Newberry would go into qualifying knowing he had a solid race set-up, but that his qualifying time would more than likely suffer in the trade.
Throughout the laps leading up to the start of 2-lap qualifying to set the starting lineup, Monsam had wagered his short run speed for a setup that would hold strong if the race were stretched into long green flag runs. Newberry would go out 20th of 22 total entries and posted his fastest time on his second lap by the start/finish line. When the field was set for the start of the race, Newberry would line up 17th and knew he would have his work cut out moving up through a strong field of race cars, but faced the challenge with confidence and began devising a strategy to make his way to the front.
As the green flag took flight over the field for the first of 140 laps, the last event before the season finale of the 2014, the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East season roared to life and Newberry immediately showed the strength in his car and began working his way forward. Only 5 miles, 10 laps, into the race, the No.24 Chevrolet had moved up to 15th. The first half of the event would see a green flag run stretching the entire 70 laps before the halfway break and Newberry radioed to his team that his car was best after 10 laps and that he needed just a bit more front grip but to make minimal changes. After receiving four fresh tires, Sunoco Racing fuel, and a slight adjustment, the Qore-24 team were poised just inside the top 10 and were looking to capitalize on a strong run.
On lap 71 the green was displayed for only 3 laps until the first incident of the night brought out the caution on lap 74. Newberry was racing for position when the yellow was displayed and would take the green in 9th to fight his way to the finish. Working through heavy lapped traffic and staying close to the leaders, Newberry had saved his equipment and was shaving time off of his lap times, as other teams were fighting to stay in the hunt. Passing on the inside, outside, and glowing the brakes at the end, the night heated up for Newberry as the event drew to a close. When the checkers were displayed, Newberry had made more passes for position on the night, than any of his competitors, and had moved into 6th for a strong end to a fast day. Newberry and the NTS Motorsports Qore-24 team head to Dover International Speedway for the final event of the season knowing that they can tackle any obstacle and fight adversity to come home strong at the end of the night.
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