Hackenbracht Hits Highs and Lows at Home Track

By:
On:
In: Xfinity Series News

Chad Hackenbracht made his first NASCAR Nationwide Series road course start in Saturday’s inaugural Nationwide Children’s Hospital 200 at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course.  The Ohio native qualified 28th and quickly gained positions during the first five laps.  After taking the No. 44 Tastee Apple, Inc. Toyota Camry to the lead during the 94 lap event, handling issues would result in a 30th place finish.    

Hackenbracht steamrolled through the field during the opening laps.  On lap nine, crew chief Greg Conner called the Tastee Apple, Inc. Camry to pit road for fuel only.  Returning to the track in the 36th position, Hackenbracht had his work cut out for him as the leaders were quickly approaching.  The second full course caution came on lap 28 allowing the No. 44 car to come back to pit road for another fuel only stop. Hackenbracht was now on the same pit strategy as most of the 40 car field. 

 

While the field worked through green flag pit stops starting on lap 59,

 

Hackenbracht began inching his way up into the top-five. On lap 63, Tastee Apple was prominently visible as Hackenbracht took the lead for his first time in the Nationwide Series.  Shortly after leading a lap, the No. 44 Toyota hit pit road for four fresh Goodyear tires and a full can of Sunoco fuel.  Reentering the field in the 19th position, Hackenbracht returned to hitting his marks on the 2.253-mile 13-turn road course. 

 

With six laps to go handling issues began ailing the Tastee Apple, Inc. Camry forcing Hackenbracht to pit again for four tires.  The tire change did not seem to heal the handling issue forcing the Toyota back to pit road for further evaluation.  With two laps to go, the crew diagnosed a broken track bar mount which would end their race for the day.  The unfortunate mechanical issue cost Hackenbracht a potential top-20 finish who instead was credited with a 30th place finish. 

 

“We had an unfortunate day today”, said Hackenbracht. “I can’t thank my family, friends and team enough for their support. It was really cool being able to lead a lap, but the end result is frustrating.”

The No. 44 team remains 20th in the Nationwide Series Owner Points Standing.  Hackenbracht will return to the seat of the Tastee Apple, Inc. Camry next week when the series returns to Bristol Motor Speedway for the Food City 250 on Friday night.

Speedway Digest Staff
Follow Me
Latest posts by Speedway Digest Staff (see all)
Post Views: 31