TriStar Motorsports Post-Race Report: Kentucky Speedway

Race Highlights: 

 

Cale Conley qualified 24^th for the Kentucky 300, followed by Eric McClure in 27^th, Blake Koch in 28^th and David Starr in 29^th.

 

The 200-lap race included five cautions for 24 laps and 10 lead changes among six drivers.

 

David Starr finished the 200-lap race 21^st, followed by Blake Koch in 22^nd, Eric McClure in 27^th and Cale Conley in 29^th.                       

   

David Starr Finishes 21^st in the Kentucky 300

As rain canceled qualifying for the XFINITY Series (NXS) Kentucky 300 race at Kentucky Speedway, the field was set according to the rule book designating the line up per the results of a rain shortened practice session from the previous day. David Starr in the No. 44 Zachry Camry came to the green and started in the 29th position for the 200-lap event.  By lap three, Starr had advanced three positions to 26th, when a caution came out. The Texas native, reported the Zachry Camry seemed to have better balance from the final adjustments that had been made based on the practice session on Thursday. By lap 25, during a completion caution, Crew Chief Greg Conner called Starr to pit road as the car had become tight and lacked handling through the bumps of the track surface. The No. 44 pit crew serviced the Zachry Camry with four GoodYear tires, Sunoco fuel and one pound out of the left rear. Starr cycled back through the field to restart in the 29th position. As the race progressed, the handling of the car shifted from tight to loose, lost grip and the bumps of the track’s surface continued to be challenging. As another caution flag waved on lap 71, the Zachry Camry pitted for four tires, fuel and a track bar adjustment. Starr rejoined the field in the 22nd position and continued to battle for position as the car tightened up. Crew Chief, Greg Conner, kept the Zachry Camry out during the final caution to take the wave around and gain track position. Starr ultimately crossed the finish line and departed Sparta, KY with a 21st place finish.

 

Start- 29^th         Finish- 21^st       Laps Led- 0      Points- 23 points

                                                   

Driver QUOTE: “We brought home a disappointing 21st place finish. The bumps on the track proved to be more of a challenge than expected, but a great effort by the Zachry team tonight.”

 

Blake Koch finishes 22^nd in the Kentucky 300

With only one practice session under his belt due to weather, Blake Koch strapped into the No. 8 LeafFilter Gutter Protection Camry ready to race. When a caution flag waved on lap 2, Koch reported that his Camry was loose. On lap 23, Koch came on the radio and reported the loose conditions were back while running 23^rd. A competition caution flag was thrown on lap 25 and Koch came to pit road for four tires, fuel, a wedge adjustment and a track bar adjustment. Running 24^th on lap 77, Koch was reporting that his Camry was getting better on restarts. By lap 132, Koch had worked his way up to the 21^st position and made his green flag pit stop on lap 135 for four tires, fuel and a track bar adjustment. With 43 laps to go, Koch reported that his Camry was too tight off. When the final caution of the night came out with 38 laps to go, the team gambled and stayed out on track to try to gain positions. Blake Koch brought the No. 8 LeafFilter Camry home 22^nd.

Start- 28^th    Finish- 22^nd     Laps Led -0      Points-22 points

                                                   

Driver QUOTE: “It was a tough night for my No. 8 LeafFilter Camry team. We battled loose conditions early into the race, but my team made some great adjustments early on. I can’t thank my team enough for continuing to put together great Camrys and we will move onto New Hampshire next week.”

 

Eric McClure Finishes 27^th in the Kentucky 300

For the second week in a row, Mother Nature put a damper NASCAR XFINTIY Series action.  With only one hour of practice time for the 15^th Annual Kentucky 300, due to numerous rain showers, Eric McClure and the Reynolds Wrap® team were eager for the 300-mile event at Kentucky Speedway. Starting from 27^th, McClure was ready for 200 jarring laps.  After an early caution on lap four, McClure was able to properly evaluate the Reynolds Wrap® Camry by lap 13. Stating the car was experiencing a tight condition, he and Crew Chief Rick Ren discussed methods to alleviate the handling.  While running in 29^th the competition caution fell at lap 25. Four tires, fuel, a chassis and air pressure adjustment sent the blue and silver Camry back to the track to restart 27^th. As the field proceeded for a long green flag run the handling changed again and McClure needed more security to advance the No. 24. The Hefty® / Reynolds Wrap® crew had three more shots to now “tighten” up the Camry, including a green flag stop with 60-laps to go.  Still needing a little more, McClure was unable to advance in the closing laps finishing the event where he started, 27^th.

 

Start- 27^th        Finish- 27^th      Laps Led- 0     Points- 17 points

                                                   

Driver QUOTE: “It was a tough night for us; didn’t go as we anticipated, but we kept doing what we could, throwing things at it and trying to just make it to the end. Our pit stops were good, helping us gain track positions each time we pitted. The guys work really hard and if we keep at it we will see some dividends.”

 

Cale Conley Finishes 29^th in the Kentucky 300

A rainy weekend at Kentucky Speedway culminates in mechanical issues for Cale Conley and the No. 14 IAVA team. After one practice session and qualifying were cancelled due to inclement weather, the field was set by practice speeds with Conley starting in the 24th position. He slowly advanced position throughout the first half of the race. Unfortunately, following a restart on Lap 110, Conley reported mechanical issues. A quick caution gave the IAVA crew time to work on the car, but it still was experiencing handling issues. Crew chief Eddie Pardue made the call for Conley to bring his Camry behind the wall so they could remedy the problem. He returned to the racetrack with 40 laps to go in the 31st position and ended the 200-lap event in the 29th position.

 

Start -24^th       Finish- 29^th     Laps Led- 0      Points- 15 points

                                                   

Driver QUOTE: “Another frustrating weekend for us. I would have preferred more practice time and qualifying, but we had a competitive Camry for the race. Unfortunately, racing with mechanical issues is like racing a horse with a pulled muscle. We will regroup and keep our chins up. On to New Hampshire.”

TMI PR