Fuel Pump Cable Costs Whitt a Shot at a Top-10 in Kentucky

Teaming up for the second time this season, fans witnessed Cole Whitt and the No. 44 Ferguson Toyota Camry take to the jarring surface of Kentucky Speedway. 

The 22-year-old California native made his fourth start at the 1.5- mile, bumpy tri-oval in Sparta, Kentucky.  Whitt raced as high as ninth before experiencing a fuel pump issue and brought the Ferguson Camry home in the 31st position in Friday night’s Feed the Children 300.

Starting from the ninth position, Whitt hung on as the No. 44 Ferguson Toyota bobbed and weaved around Kentucky’s fastest track. “My guys put together a really great car, it handled really well even through the bumps,” said Whitt.

Whitt was in the 13th position when he started experiencing difficulties with his Ferguson Camry.  After conversing with his Crew Chief Randy Cox, they were forced bring their Toyota to pit road to investigate. Realizing the fuel pump cable fell off, Whitt and his team pushed their car to the garage for repairs. Diligently replacing the fuel pump cable, Whitt’s team doctored the No. 44 and sent their driver back to the track.

“I can’t say enough about my guys’ effort, they worked really hard and gave me a good car. When we needed to replace the cable, they got me back on track as fast as they could,” said Whitt. “Although we didn’t get the finish we wanted, we had a top-10 car going into the race. I am now more determined than ever to succeed knowing that we can be one of the top competing teams. Also, I can’t thank Mark and Kathy [Smith] enough for the opportunity to be in this car,” continued Whitt.

Friday night’s NASCAR Nationwide Series race at Kentucky Speedway was the fifth race for Whitt with TriStar Motorsports. While Whitt finished 31st, he still helped the No. 44 team solidify a top-25 position in the NASCAR Nationwide Series Owner Points Standing. Putting Friday night’s race in his rear view, Whitt and his team prepare for next Friday night’s Subway Firecracker 250 at Daytona International Speedway.

TMI PR