Race Highlights:
Mike Bliss qualified 23rd for the O’Reilly Auto Parts 300, followed by Blake Koch in 24th, Cale Conley in 28th and David Starr in 31st.
After an action filled race which included six cautions for 30 laps and 15 lead changes among eight leaders.
David Starr finished the 300-mile race 23rd, followed by Mike Bliss in 24th, Blake Koch in 32nd and Cale Conley in 34th.
David Starr Finishes 23rd in the O’Reilly Auto Parts 300
Texas native, David Starr, qualified 31st for Friday night’s race at Texas Motor Speedway and was ready to get back behind the wheel at his home track. When the second caution flag was shown, Starr brought the No. 44 Zachry Camry to pit road for four tires, fuel and a track bar adjustment. By lap 62, Starr was scored in the 24th position. Advancing four positions by lap 118, Starr was quiet on the radio. When the caution flag was shown with 73 laps to go, Crew Chief Greg Conner told Starr to come to pit road for four tires and Sunoco Racing fuel. Starr had to restart from the tail-end of the field due to a pit road penalty for driving through too many pit stalls. With 15 laps to go, Starr was scored in the 24th position and would advance one position to finish the 300-mile race 23rd.
Start- 31st Finish- 23rd Laps Led- 0 Points- 21 points
Driver QUOTE: “We did the best we could with what we had. The pit road penalty cost us four or five positions. We are hoping for better results in Bristol.”
Mike Bliss finishes 24th in the O’Reilly Auto Parts 300
Fresh Goodyears were the hot commodity as the 40-car field charged under the lights at Texas Motor Speedway. Starting from the 23rd spot, Mike Bliss slipped four spots as the field settled in to lay some laps after an early caution on lap two. The next caution came equally early on lap 18, Bliss and interim Crew Chief Wes Ward decided to bring the No. 19 Camry to pit road to service for loose conditions. A “sticky button” on Bliss’ radio sent him back down pit road to try and help elevate his communication issues. Running 4/10th faster than the cars around him Bliss started to make gains by lap-63, as the events third caution flew. Taking four tires, fuel and a couple of adjustments to help handling, Bliss’ pit crew gained him two track positions as he restarted 22nd. As darkness really set in and the temperatures continued to cool, the red and white Camry became tight and “snappy” while running 24th on lap-111. Bliss and crew decided to make a green flag stop with 15-laps to go for a pair of fresh right side tires. Unable to to beat his teammate David Starr for the 23rd position, Bliss held on to finish in the 24th spot.
Start- 23th Finish- 24th Laps Led -0 Points- 20 points
Driver QUOTE: “I can’t thank Dealer Associate, Niece and Steeling Lumber for coming on board and supporting us tonight“, said Bliss. “Tires were critical in maintaining the handling throughout the race and we were fighting a tight car all night making it tough to gain track positions. I’m looking forward to heading to Bristol for some short track racing next weekend, one of my favorite places to race!”
Blake Koch Finishes 32nd in the O’Reilly Auto Parts 300
After qualifying 24th for the O’Reilly Auto Parts 300, Koch was ready to get back behind the wheel after two weekends off. When an early caution came out at lap 2, Koch and the No. 8 team chose to stay out and restart 21st. When the second caution flag waved, Koch reported that his Camry was tight in turns one and two, and came to pit road for four tires, fuel and a track bar adjustment. On lap 38, the No. 8 spotter reported that the No. 8 Camry was sparking coming into turns one and two. After Koch came to pit road to diagnose the problem, the No. 8 team headed to the garage. The No. 8 crew diagnosed the problem and sent Koch back out on track. With 60 laps to go, Koch was scored in the 34th position. Under caution, Koch came to pit road for four tires, fuel and an adjustment. Running 34th with 18 laps to go, Koch would advance two positions to finish the race 32nd.
Start- 24th Finish- 32nd Laps Led- 0 Points- 12 points
Driver QUOTE: “We had a rough night at Texas Motor Speedway. My team worked hard all week to get this car race ready and something out of our control broke early into the race. I can’t thank my team and sponsors enough for their continued support and hard work. I can’t wait to get behind the wheel of my No. 8 LeafFilter Gutter Protection Camry next weekend in Bristol.”
Cale Conley Finishes 34th in the O’Reilly Auto Parts 300
The O’Reilly Auto Parts 300 weekend began on a high note as Cale Conley and the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA) unveiled a new paint scheme at Texas Motor Speedway. Lamentably, the event was mired with misfortune and Conley finished in the 34th position. Following final XFINITY Series practice, the No. 14 IAVA crew swapped engines causing Conley to qualify with a setup he had not yet practiced with. He started the 300-lap event from the 28th position and quickly broke into the top 20. Typical of intermediate tracks, the field spread out and Conley was put a couple laps down. During a mid-race caution, Conley stayed on track to regain a lap. As the laps were winding down, Conley cut his right front tire causing him to make contact with the No. 62 car, sending them both into the wall and bringing out the caution. Conley was able to drive his Camry to the garage, but the team was unable to repair it before the race ended, relegating him to a 34th-place finishing position.
Start – 28th Finish- 34th Laps Led- 0 Points- 10 points
Driver QUOTE: “Not the way we wanted to see the race go. I was so excited about the new IAVA paint scheme and to race at Texas Motor Speedway for the first time, but I am putting this race behind me and looking towards Bristol.”
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