Kenny Wallace proved that RAB Racing’s No. 99 Family Farmers Toyota Camry was fast in qualifying, but engine problems upon taking the green flag in Saturday afternoon’s NASCAR Nationwide Series race spoiled the team’s chance to prove it in finishing position.
In Friday’s triple practice sessions, Wallace posted the tenth, 14th and 18th-fastest times, respectively. He found even more speed when he took to the track for qualifying, posting a tenth-place starting position, only .046 seconds off the pole winner’s time of record.
Upon taking the green flag, Wallace reported a miss in the engine of his Family Farmers Toyota. Wallace remained on track, logging laps until going behind the wall to diagnose the issue. After removing the valve covers, a broken valve spring was discovered and subsequently replaced. Wallace rejoined the field several laps down, hoping to salvage the best finish possible, but it wasn’t to be for the nine-time Nationwide Series race winner as a catastrophic engine failure eliminated him shortly thereafter. Wallace ended the day in the 34th position.
“Certainly not what we were looking for today,” said Wallace. “It’s unfortunate. We worked so hard on this Family Farmers Toyota Camry, and felt like we could have been a contender. But, that wasn’t to be. We broke a valve spring when we took the green flag. It must have broke coming to the checkered flag in qualifying. We went behind the wall and replaced it, but it did too much damage. We were able to get back out on track for another couple of laps before it let go. I hate it for all the farmers that support us, and for everyone at RAB Racing.”
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