Blake Koch Ties Previous Career-Best Finish of Eighth at Bristol

Battling more than just 39 other NASCAR XFINITY Series (NXS) drivers this weekend, Blake Koch was able to lay down the ninth-fastest lap in practice Thursday afternoon before rain washed out the final practice session at Bristol Motor Speedway. Continuing to fight raindrops Friday afternoon, Koch captured a 17th starting position after rain delayed the start of qualifying for the Food City 300.

 

Rolling off in his No. 11 LeafFilter Gutter Protection™ Chevrolet Camaro for the 300-lap race, Koch began his march through the field to the front of the pack. After just 30 laps, Koch radioed to his Kaulig Racing™ team that he was “way too tight.” Continuing to fight tight conditions, Koch did his best to fend off the leaders, but ultimately went a lap down after 52 laps of green flag action.

 

The first of eight caution flags would be displayed on lap 77 and Koch brought his LeafFilter Gutter Protection™ machine down pit road for four tires, fuel and adjustments to try “loosen” him up. Restarting 21st, one lap down, Koch continued to fight “tight” conditions and ultimately went two laps down to the leaders on lap 125.

 

Just pass the halfway mark though, the second caution of the night would come out. Crew chief Chris Rice elected to have Koch not pit, but instead take the wave around, allowing him to gain one of his two laps back. This strategy call paid off when another caution occurred just 2 laps later.

 

Only one of three cars just 1 lap down to the leaders, three more caution periods allowed Koch to be the beneficiary of the “lucky dog,” putting him back on the lead lap with a handful of other cars.

 

Scored 12th but restarting at the tail end of the field for getting his lap back under caution, Koch did his best to maneuver his way through traffic with only 50 laps remaining but the leaders ultimately put him a lap down again once more after a long green flag run.

 

Luckily, the caution flag once again was displayed, this time on lap 282, allowing Koch to not only get his lap back, but also get four tires, fuel and an air pressure adjustment before restarting 12th with 14 laps remaining.

 

Working his way through traffic once again, Koch was given one final shot at a top-10 finish after a caution with 3 laps remaining sent the Food City 300 into overtime. However, before the first green-white-checkered attempt even took place, two front running cars ran out of fuel, allowing Koch to snatch a couple more positions.

 

Ultimately though, Koch was able to hold the eighth position on the green-white-checkered attempt, giving him track-best finish at Bristol Motor Speedway, and tying his previous career-best finish.

 

Quote:
“It feels amazing and a top ten finish is huge. We needed those points tonight. I had my wife and son here tonight watching even. But a big thank you to Matt and Lisa (Kaulig) for this opportunity. Top ten finishes are definitely awesome.”

 
Kaulig Racing PR