Impressive Finish: Four Teams Finish in Top-20 for TriStar Motorsports

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In: Xfinity Series News

 

 

 

 

 

Now entering a class that includes Richard Childress Racing and Joe Gibbs Racing, TriStar Motorsports is the third NASCAR Nationwide Series team, this season, to have four cars finish in the top-20. Bristol Motor Speedway is a track notorious for battles. By battling the odds TriStar Motorsports and their drivers impressed during Friday night’s Food City 250. 
 

 Bliss Battles to 17th Place Finish at Bristol

 

Started: 18th 

Finished: 17th

Current Driver Points: 13th

 

Mike Bliss driver of the No. 19 Tweaker Energy Shot Toyota made his 

19th NASCAR Nationwide Series start at the “World’s Fastest Half Mile” on Friday.

 
Starting from the 18th position, Bliss slipped back to 25th by lap 15. After grasping  the conditions of his Tweaker Energy Shot Toyota, Bliss edged his way back into the top-20 by lap 47.
 
Bliss was relatively silent on the radio until the events last caution on lap 153. While racing in the top-20 he sustained rear bumper damage as a result of checking up to avoid a wreck ahead of him.

 

Pitting for four tires, fuel  and some bare bond, Bliss would restart 20th with 70 laps to go. Gaining three spots with 20 laps to go, Bliss maintained that position to finish the Food City 250 in the 17th position.

 

Mike Bliss’ Post Race Comments:

 

“We had a fast Tweaker Energy Shot Toyota tonight. My crew worked really hard and we had consistent pit stops to help maintain track position. It was great having Tweaker back on board and I’m satisfied with our finish.” – Mike Bliss
 

Hackenbracht Surges to Top-20 Finish in Bristol Debut:

  

Started: 26th

Finished: 20th

Current Owner Points: 20th

 

Chad Hackenbracht made his first career Bristol Motor Speedway start Friday night in the No. 44 Tastee Apple, Inc. Toyota.

 

Displaying his rookie decals, Hackenbracht started the Food City 250 in the 26th position.  With a track different than what the drivers practiced and qualified on, he slipped back to evaluate the conditions of his car and the track.

 

Hackenbracht maneuvered through traffic to regain the 26th position by lap 102. When the caution flag flew at lap 104, Hackenbracht brought the Tastee Apple, Inc. Camry down pit road for four tires and fuel.

 

In the closing laps, Hackenbracht advanced as high as 19th  but ended up finishing his first Bristol event in the 20th position.

  

Chad Hackenbracht’s Post Race Comments:

 

“I am very proud of my team’s effort tonight. I have no complaints about my car, it handled really well all race long. I think finishing 20th at Bristol  for my first time, with only a doughnut on the door, is respectable.” – Chad Hackenbracht
 

 

 
Whitt Earns Top-15 at Bristol:

 

Started: 17th

Finished: 14th

Current Driver Points: 21st

 

For the first time this season, Cole Whitt was behind the wheel of the No. 10 Gold Bond Toyota for Friday night’s Food City 250.  
 
Whitt made his fourth start at the .533-mile oval for the 32nd Annual Event at Bristol Motor Speedway.  Having to qualify in on time, Whitt easily beat the other “go or go homers” to start from the 17th position. 

 

Whitt faced a loose handling car and would loose a couple of spots at the start of the race.The event’s first caution fell on lap 65 allowing the Gold Bond pit crew to aid the No. 10 Camry.

  

Continuing to experience a loose condition throughout the race, Whitt would pit for four fresh tires and a full tank of fuel under the last caution of the night on lap 153.  

 

Whitt would restart 14th and was able to defended that position to the end, earning his fourth top-15 finish this season. 

 

Cole Whitt’s Post Race Comments: 

 

“I’m really grateful to drive the Gold Bond Toyota tonight.  We had a really good car, but with everyone practically racing the same speeds advancing was difficult.  I think a 14th place finish is a great accomplishment for our team.” – Cole Whitt
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