Ben Kennedy No. 96 Jacob Companies Chevrolet Camaro Dover Recap

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In: Xfinity Series News

Dover Recap:

Ben Kennedy made his second NASCAR XFINITY Series start for GMS Racing Saturday afternoon at Dover International Speedway, earning a top-20 finish in the 200-mile event. The Daytona Beach, Fla., native started from the 26th position after failing to advance past the first round of multi-vehicle qualifying due to a tight-handling condition. Under caution for the first incident of the race, Kennedy reported to crew chief Jeff Stankiewicz that he was free on entry but tight center through the exit. With three cautions to follow prior to the end of stage one, Stankiewicz elected not to pit allowing his driver to advance his position to end up 19th at the lap 60 break.

Kennedy brought his JACOB Companies Camaro to pit road for fresh tires, fuel, and air pressure and track bar adjustments. He restarted from the 24th position and gained two spots, but felt the handling was getting worse as the race progressed. The crew made adjustments under caution on lap 76; however, 16 laps later Kennedy returned to pit road asking to go back on the changes. The crew provided the driver with four tires, planning to make a quick stop for adjustments only during the upcoming break at the conclusion of stage two.

The 25-year-old finished stage two in the 22nd position and asked for a track bar adjustment at the break. The adjustments helped with entry but he continued to struggle on exit. He pitted for the final time on lap 136 from 23rd for a set of stickers and an adjustment to last the remainder of the race. A long green flag run followed and Kennedy was able to make his way into the top 20, crossing the line in the 18th position, one lap down.

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“This was very much a learning experience for the 96 team. While it would have been great to run up front, thankfully there were plenty of cautions that allowed us to try out a few different adjustments. No doubt that will help us down the road, as we progress through the remainder of the season. It’s a frustrating situation not only for myself, but for Jeff (Stankiewicz, crew chief) and the crew guys, but this is a young program and there’s a lot of fight in this group. We’ve just gotta put our heads down, and keep digging, and make sure we’re ready for Pocono next week.”

GMS Racing PR

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