Ryan Newman Comes Home Third in the Inaugural Race at Eldora Speedway

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The NASCAR Camping World Truck Series (NCWTS) made its first ever start on dirt at Eldora Speedway. The highly anticipated-event was held in front of a sold-out crowd on Wednesday evening at the 0.5-mile short track. Ryan Newman made his 2013 NCWTS debut in the No. 34 Oral-B/Aggressive Hydraulics/WIX Filters Chevrolet Silverado at the famed dirt track. After qualifying his way into the race and starting in the 10th position for the 150-lap feature, Newman finished third in the No. 34 Oral-B/Aggressive Hydraulics/WIX Filters Chevy at the inaugural Eldora Speedway race for Turner Scott Motorsports (TSM).

 

Two practice sessions were held on Tuesday, and Newman finished those sessions 11th and sixth, respectively. Final practice was held on Wednesday morning and Newman finished 16th. Practice was followed by traditional single-truck qualifying, which was used to set the fields for the five heat races. Newman qualified 15th, which put him third in the fifth qualifying heat race. Since Newman was not locked in on owner’s points, he needed to finish ahead of the two other non-locked-in competitors in his heat race. After completing the eight-lap heat race, he finished second behind TSM teammate Jeb Burton, locking the No. 34 Oral-B/Aggressive Hydraulics/WIX Filters Chevrolet in the main event. By finishing second in his heat race, Newman earned the 10th-starting position for the Mudsummer Classic.  

 

The main event consisted of three segments with pit stops scheduled between each segment. The first segment was scheduled for 60 laps. Newman started on the outside of row five, and worked his way up to the eighth position on lap five. Newman consistently worked his way through the field, and at lap 30, he passed veteran dirt racer Kenny Schrader for the fifth position. The first caution of the race came out at lap 55 with Newman in the sixth position. Newman radioed to crew chief Chris Carrier that it was really hard to pass without risking too much. Carrier called Newman down pit road for the first segment pit stop at lap 60. The No. 34 Oral-B/Aggressive Hydraulics/WIX Filters pit crew changed four Goodyear tires, filled the truck with Sunoco fuel and removed a spring rubber.

 

Newman restarted the second segment in the sixth position. On the first green-flag lap, Newman worked his way into the fourth position. The second caution of the evening came out at lap 89 for debris in Turn 3. Newman relayed to Carrier that his No. 34 Oral-B/Aggressive Hydraulics/WIX Filters Chevy was just a little tight, but pretty good overall. Newman restarted in the fourth position on lap 97 and battled side-by-side with TSM teammate and dirt-track ace Kyle Larson for the second position. After several laps of exciting racing, Newman settled into the third position on lap 102. Newman maintained the third position until the end of the second segment. Newman relayed to Carrier over the radio to remove a spring rubber from the left rear and he would “let ‘er eat.” The No. 34 Oral-B/Aggressive Hydraulics/WIX Filters pit crew made the adjustment, changed four tires and added fuel in preparation for the final segment.    

 

Newman restarted in the third position, for the final segment of the Mudsummer Classic. He was in the fourth position when the fourth caution of the race came out at lap 114 for an accident in Turn 2. When the green flag flew at lap 125, Newman quickly moved up to second and maintained the position until the fifth caution came out at lap 139. Newman restarted second on lap 145 and the green flag was only displayed for two laps before the sixth caution came out at lap 147, with Newman in the fourth position. The late-race caution set up NASCAR’s version of overtime with the first attempt at a green/white/checkered finish. On lap 151, Newman restarted in the fourth position and battled with TSM teammate Kyle Larson on the final lap for the second position, ultimately bringing his No. 34 Oral-B/Aggressive Hydraulics/WIX Filters Chevrolet home in third.

 

“We had a great Oral-B/Aggressive Hydraulics/WIX Filters Chevy Silverado all day,” said Newman. “I had a lot of fun tonight at Eldora Speedway. It was a special evening to be part of the inaugural race and to finish third. My truck was really good on the long runs, but we had a couple of cautions there at the end which didn’t play into our favor. I can’t thank everyone at Turner Scott Motorsports enough. They prepared a great truck, and I had a fun time this week.”

 

TSM PR

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