Eric McClure Finishes 26th in 5-Hour Energy 200 at Dover

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In: Xfinity Series News

Eric McClure and the No. 14 Hefty® Ultimate™/Reynolds® Camry finished 26th in Saturday’s NASCAR Nationwide Series event at the “Monster Mile” after qualifying in the 31st position. With this finish, McClure slipped one position to 23rd in the NASCAR Owner standings, while remaining 19thin the driver standings. The team is looking for redemption next weekend at Kansas Speedway.

At the drop of the green flag, McClure quickly advanced four positions in the running order, despite battling a car that was tight in the front and snappy loose on the throttle. On lap 23, McClure was passed by the leaders, trapping him one lap down. The first of two caution flags waved on lap 25 for a spin in turn two. Unfortunately, the Hefty®/Reynolds® Camry was not in the “lucky dog” position so the No. 14 crew was able to make a series of adjustments, as well as add fuel and change four tires during the initial pit stop. When the race resumed on lap 29, the team was scored in the 27th position, one lap down.

The adjustments made on the Toyota Camry seemed to help the tight-handling condition, but the car remained snappy loose in the center of the turns. The second and final caution flag of the day was displayed on lap 35. Crew Chief Todd Myers instructed his driver to bring the car to pit road for another chassis adjustment, fuel, and to clean the grill. Once the service was complete, McClure returned to the track one lap down in the 27th position.

As the race continued under green conditions, the Hefty® Ultimate™ car became wrecking loose, causing McClure to lose positions quickly. By lap 62, he was scored three laps down in the 30th spot and in need of major adjustments. Despite the limited caution flags, the Virginia driver was able to make up two positions lost by lap 77. Shortly after halfway, green flag pit stops began with McClure bringing his silver, orange and blue Camry to pit road on lap 104. The crew changed four tires, added fuel and made additional chassis adjustments to help the car’s loose-handling condition. Upon returning to the track, the No. 14 team was scored in the 27th position.

During the remaining laps of the race, McClure was quiet on the radio as he struggled to maintain consistent lap times. The team’s final pit stop, under green conditions, was made on lap 182 for fuel, tires and one last chassis adjustment to pacify the car’s handling. Upon completion, the Toyota Camry returned to the track in the 26th position where he finished the 5-Hour Energy 200. 

Driver, Eric McClure Quotes:

“Today was not a very good day for us. Something happened with the car and we spent all day nursing it. Kansas was good for us last year. Next week can’t come fast enough.” 

TMI PR

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