The historic Indianapolis Motor Speedway played host to the NASCAR Xfinity Series this past Saturday for the running of the Indiana 250. JD Motorsports drivers Garrett Smithley, Landon Cassill, BJ McLeod, and Stephen Leicht took on Indy with full force, knowing that there would be just one more chance at making the NXS playoffs.
Garrett Smithley, driver of the No. 0 Chevrolet sponsored in part by Contec, maintained a really solid weekend throughout the race at Indy despite starting deep in the pack in 32nd. The Ligonier, PA native worked his way through the pack early on, moving up nearly twenty positions to finish 14th in Stage One. Smithley slipped back just a tad in Stage Two to finish 16th, but it was late in the going that the #NumberNuthin showed its’ strength. After narrowly avoiding disaster, Garrett found himself sitting inside the Top 10 with less than ten laps to go. Though he wasn’t able to secure the Top 10, he still came home with a respectable 14th place, keeping him in 18th for the drivers’ points standings.
Landon Cassill, driver of the No. 4 Flex Seal/Contec Chevrolet, fought through tremendous adversity all day long. Cassill started from 34th position and was able to make some passes early on in the race, finishing out Stage One in the 25th spot. Stage Two earned Landon some more track position from some good changes atop the pit box to 19th, and he was running solidly up inside the Top 15 late in the going when overheating issues forced him to come down pit road. The “no quit” attitude of the No. 4 team got him back on track, and Landon was able to fight back to a 16th place finish, not far back behind Smithley.
BJ McLeod, driver of the No. 15 Chevrolet, rolled off the starting grid from the 21st position on Saturday. Stage One showed McLeod in 26th position, and he unfortunately lost a lap during Stage Two to finish 30th. Some quality adjustments were made up on the pit box, and BJ was able to get back on the lead lap to finish 22nd. Leaving Indianapolis, McLeod remains 20th in the drivers’ points standings.
Stephen Leicht, driver of the No. 01 Chevrolet, started in 30th for the 100 lap race. Leicht stayed consistent early on and passed two cars to finish 28th at the end of Stage One and Stage Two. As the laps wound down and carnage picked up, Stephen was able to maneuver his Camaro through the smoke to come home with a 23rd place finish on the lead lap. He is still scored in 19th for the drivers’ points standings heading into Las Vegas.
The NASCAR Xfinity Series will head out west to the beautiful Las Vegas Motor Speedway this Saturday for the running of the Rhino Linings 300. Be sure to tune into NBCSN at 7:30 PM Eastern Time to see JD Motorsports drivers BJ McLeod, Garrett Smithley, Stephen Leicht, and the return of Tyler Matthews tear up the track in Sin City. For all things JDM, follow us along on social media with the handle @JDMotorsports01. #TeamJDM
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