Handling challenges BK Racing teams at Texas Motor Speedwa

As rain soaked the Dallas / Fort Worth area on Sunday afternoon, NASCAR and track officials worked diligently in an attempt to race the Duck Commander 500.  Mother Nature, however, had a different plan as sporadic showers ultimately postponed the 500-mile event to Monday

 

Rookie Alex Bowman rolled off 30th for his first Sprint Cup Series race at Texas Motor Speedway in the No. 23 Dr Pepper Toyota Camry.  With the race initially beginning under yellow-flag conditions as track drying continued, Bowman joined the rest of the field racing full throttle by lap 11.  Shortly after coming up to speed, Bowman called into his crew to report handling issues while navigating the corners.  The driver was fighting a condition that had his Camry loose on entry and exit, yet tight through the center of the turns.  The Sunoco Rookie of the Year candidate visited pit road during the competition caution where his team treated the car with an air pressure adjustment to alleviate the balance challenges. 

 

As the race ensued, Bowman and his Dr Pepper team continued to work on the handling of their car making air pressure and chassis adjustments, and even added additional tape to the nose of the car in an attempt to gain additional front downforce.  Despite their effort, the team continued to endure a tight in the center and loose-off condition until the checkered flag.  Bowman soldiered through the challenges to finish in the 32nd position. 

 

“As a team, our BK Racing team was really challenged by the handling of our Toyota Camrys this weekend,” commented Bowman.  “Both the 23 and 83 teams worked together throughout practice to try to make our cars better, but we were really challenged to get the cars handling like we needed.  My Dr Pepper team did a great job continuing to work on the car and not giving up the entire race.  We were able to avoid any trouble on the track and still come home with our car in one piece.  I’m encouraged by our perseverance every week; I think we have a good foundation that we’re continuing to build on each week.  I’m looking forward to getting to Darlington next week-it’s a tough track, but I think we’re up for the challenge.”

 

Sunoco Rookie of the Year candidate Ryan Truex also attempted to make the 43-car field in the No. 83 Borla Exhaust Toyota Camry for BK Racing.  The 21-year-old had to qualify for the race utilizing the knockout qualifying format, which is new this season.  At the conclusion of the session, Truex’s fast lap of 28.511 seconds was just a tick off the pace to qualify for Sunday’s main event. 


“Our Borla Exhaust team was really challenged this weekend by the handling of our Toyota Camry,” commented Truex.  “Our first goal of the weekend, every weekend, is to qualify for the main event.  This weekend we really fought the balance of the car throughout the practice sessions.  We made several changes to the car prior to qualifying, but unfortunately it wasn’t enough.  We’re focused on getting better every week, and confident that we’ll be able to do that.  I’m looking forward to getting to Darlington next week-it’s known for being a very tough track, but it’s also very historic.  It should be a lot of fun.”

 

BK Racing PR