Following the Nationwide Series’ first off-weekend, one that left Eric McClure in a right-handed cast, the TriStar Motorsports team headed to Bristol Motor Speedway with uncertainty as to whether their driver would be able to compete in Saturday’s event. However, after a day of practice on Friday, the team’s uncertainty turned to optimism as the driver’s pain was minimal and he felt comfortable in the car. Despite starting the event in the 37th position, McClure was able to steadily advance through the field throughout the event to finish the Scotts EZ Seed 300 in the 25th position. As a result, the 32-year-old driver advanced to 18th in NASCAR Driver Standings.
“I am proud of how we ran today. The car was good for most of the race. Qualifying poorly cost us a lap and we made an adjustment during one of the early cautions that hurt the car’s drivability on the long run and cost us a couple of laps, but overall we are improving each week. The guys worked hard making me comfortable in the car and I didn’t have to battle its handling much. I just wish I would’ve had two good hands as there’s no telling how well we could’ve finished; I had to grip the wheel in an awkward way, but I am ok with 25th as this is not one of my better tracks. But we ran much stronger than what our finish shows. No question about it.”
When the green flag fell, McClure quickly began advancing through the field. By lap nine, the Hefty® BlackOut™/Reynolds™ Impala was scored in the 31st position where it remained until the competition caution flag waved on lap 25. Showing one lap down to the race leader, McClure used this caution to visit pit road for four fresh tires, a track-bar adjustment, and fuel. Following the service the TriStar Motorsports team returned to the track in the 33rd position for the lap 31 restart.
As the race progressed, McClure was able to advance three positions despite the car’s handling becoming “tight in the center and snappy loose off.” When the second caution flag waved on lap 66, McClure returned to pit road for four tires with an air-pressure adjustment, fuel, and a small wedge adjustment. Once the service was complete, the Hefty® BlackOut™/Reynolds™ Impala was scored in the 30th position on the lap 77 restart.
What happened next was atypical for Bristol Motor Speedway. The track remained green for 88 laps which forced teams to begin green flag pit stops on lap 165. McClure, however, was able to stay on track longer than most drivers and advance to the 28th position before the event’s third caution flag waved on lap 182. The call was made to bring the car to pit road for four tires, fuel and to reverse the previous adjustments as the driver preferred the car’s drivability during the first half of the race. On the lap 187 restart McClure was scored in the 28th position.
The car’s handling was much improved, allowing the No. 14 Impala to maintain its position in the running order, despite picking up track position. When the event’s fourth caution flag waved on lap 199, the team decided to remain on track since McClure’s lap times were competitive and the overall balance of the car was good. During the final 100 laps McClure continued to run competitive lap times and visited pit road on lap 236 for tires and a track-bar adjustment. During the final segment of the event the team was able to advance three positions to finish the Scotts EZ Seed 300 in the 25th position.
Tri-Star Motorsports
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