Turner Scott Motorsports NKNPSE: Dover International Speedway Post Race Report

Turner Scott Motorsports (TSM) entered the Drive Sober 150 at Dover International Speedway looking to cap off 2014 with a series-high ninth victory of the season. Although they didn’t get the win, TSM saw success with Kaz Grala and Scott Heckert bringing home top-three finishes while Cameron Hayley and Ben Rhodes suffered from late-race incidents that hindered their overall finish. Although Rhodes didn’t get the finish he was looking for, it wasn’t entirely bad for the 17-year-old as he was officially presented the 2014 NASCAR K&N Pro Series East (NKNPSE) Championship, which he clinched with a fourth-place finish in Greenville a few weeks ago.

 

Kaz Grala:

Grala put on quite a show in his first-career start at Dover. The youngest full-time driver in the NKNPSE entered the race looking to end his rookie season on a strong note, and perhaps bring home a victory in the No. 31 OzLINK/NETTTS Chevrolet. The 15-year-old didn’t end the night in victory lane, but he did secure a career-best finish of second. Grala made a steady march forward following the midway break of the race. By lap 79, Grala was running in the seventh position and looked poised for a sold top-five run. By lap 95, Grala was into the top five, running in the third position. The 15-year-old restarted second on lap 98 looking to get around TSM teammate Rhodes and overtake the race lead. On lap 124, Rhodes’ engine began to go south, which allowed another comperitor and Grala to get by. Grala fought hard to chase down the eventual race leader in the closing 25 laps, but had to settle for the runner-up spot, still scoring his career-best finish. Grala ended his rookie season seventh in the NKNPSE Driver Point Standings, compiling four top fives and 10 top 10s.

 

Kaz Grala on a career-best finish at Dover:

“The No. 31 OzLINK/NETTTS Chevy team finished the season strong with our best qualifying effort of fifth and our best finish of second at the Monster Mile. This is by far my favorite track yet, and I doubt that will change for a long time. Overall, we had a great season; I gained a lot of experience, we had a blast as a team and we finished seventh in points with some really impressive finishes. I really can’t thank these Turner Scott Motorsports guys enough, what a way to end a great year in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East.”

 

Scott Heckert:

Heckert entered the Driver Sober 150 looking to cap off what has been a career-best year for the 20-year-old. He began the evening on a strong note, qualifying for the race in the eighth position. As the race began, Heckert began to battle the handling of his racecar. Several cautions throughout the middle portion of the race allowed the No. 34 Project Lifesaver team to make adjustments. At the midway break, Heckert was in the 11th position and ready to head to the front in his TSM Chevrolet. By lap 95, Heckert was up in the top five and looking for even more. Heckert raced hard in the final 50 laps, eventually getting up to third before crossing the finish line. Heckert ended the 2014 season eighth in the NKNPSE Driver Point Standings, finishing the season with two wins, three poles, six top fives and 10 top 10s.

 

Scott Heckert on a great run and solid season with TSM:

“It was a crazy race out there tonight in the No. 34 Project Lifesaver Chevrolet. The car was a little off to begin with, but the crew made awesome adjustments during pit stop’s and the my Chevy came to life. Big thanks to everyone at Turner Scott Motorsports for their hard work. I’m glad we were able to work our way to the front and cap the season off with a great finish.”

 

Cameron Hayley:

Hayley came into the Driver Sober 150 looking to move into the win column for 2014. The 18-year-old started the day off on a high note, qualifying for the race in the second position. Early on, it was evident that Hayley had a lot of speed in the No. 98 Cabinets by Hayley Chevrolet as he took over the race lead on lap 15. Hayley led for the next 53 laps until a flat right-front tire forced the No. 98 to pit road. While on pit road, the caution flag waved and Hayley was caught two laps down. Hayley fought the remaining laps of the race to regain those laps and work back to the front, ultimately gaining one lap back and moving up to bring home a 13th-place finish in the season finale. Hayley ended the 2014 campaign second in the NKNPSE Driver Point Standings and brought home one pole, seven top fives and nine top 10s.

 

Cameron Hayley on the race at Dover and his 2014 season:

“We had a great Cabinets by Hayley Chevy this weekend at Dover. I couldn’t be happier with the entire effort by our team. Unfortunately, cut tires have just seemed to be a trend for us this year, one that is hopefully going to disappear over the winter. I really have to thank Cabinets by Hayley, Curb Records, Turner Scott Motorsports and everyone who made this year possible.”

 

Ben Rhodes:

Rhodes entered the Drive Sober 150 looking to bring home a sixth win on the 2014 season and tie a record set last year by TSM teammate and 2013 NKNPSE Champion Dylan Kwasniewski. Rhodes looked strong early in the No. 41 Alpha Energy Solutions Chevrolet, qualifying for the race in the third position. The NKNPSE Champion remained inside the top three for the opening portion of the race, looking to make a move for the lead as the laps wound down. Rhodes overtook the top spot under caution on lap 96 and remained in the race lead for the next 21 laps. Despite looking poised to capture his sixth-career NKNPSE victory, Rhodes could hear his engine beginning to have trouble. Although Rhodes was able to remain on the racetrack, he didn’t have the power that he normally does. The 17-year-old was able to nurse the car home and ultimately bring home a 15th-place finish in the season. Rhodes won the 2014 NKNPSE Championship and Sunoco Rookie of the Year award for 2014 by compiling five wins, six poles, 11 top fives and 13 top 10s in his rookie season.

 

Ben Rhodes on his Championship and the race at Dover:

“What a 2014 season it has been; this entire team has worked so hard all year to provide me with fast racecars that we’ve been able to compete with and win races. None of this is possible without Alpha Energy Solutions and all the guys at Turner Scott Motorsports. It feels great to win the Championship and claim the Rookie of the Year award, but I really wish we could’ve won this race today at Dover. We had a quick car up front and if it weren’t for those late-race issues, I think we could’ve captured the victory. All in all, it’s been a great 2014 season and I look forward to getting back on track again soon.”

 

TSM PR