Unexpected Damage Ruins Malsam’s Return to Chicagoland

After scoring his career-best NASCAR Camping World Truck Series (NCWTS) finish just weeks ago at Michigan International Speedway, Tayler Malsam had high hopes as he returned to the No. 32 Redbox Chevrolet at Chicagoland Speedway. However, contact from another competitor forced Malsam and his TSM team to spend a significant amount of time on pit road to repair damage, which ultimately regulated them to a 23rd-place finish, multiple laps down.

 

As the weekend kicked off, Malsam utilized both practice sessions to get reacquainted with the 1.5-mile track, having not competed at the track since 2012. When rain moved into the area, NCWTS qualifying was cancelled and the field was set based off of practice speeds, placing the No. 32 Redbox Chevy in 18th position for the 150-lap race. The rain continued to fall and the green flag was delayed until the following night. Shortly after racing began, Malsam told crew chief Mike Hillman Jr. that his Redbox Chevy was free in the center. With the competition caution scheduled for lap 30, Hillman called Malsam to pit road for four tires, fuel and a wedge adjustment to tighten up the truck. When the second caution flag waved thirty laps later, Malsam explained that his Chevy was lacking right-rear grip, giving Hillman the opportunity to put four new tires, add fuel and make another slight adjustment during the yellow flag. The change helped Malsam charge into the top 12 before the third caution arose. However, as Malsam was making his way to pit road, another competitor made direct contact with the No. 32 truck, causing severe damage to the right rear. The TSM team worked diligently to repair the Redbox Chevy, but unfortunately, each time the truck would rejoin the field, problems would ensue within a lap. Not taking a chance on Malsam’s safety, Hillman called for a thorough inspection of the damage behind the wall, and with 15 laps remaining, the No. 32 truck rejoined the field for the remainder of the race. Despite the hard work and determination by Malsam and his Turner Scott Motorsports team, the damage proved to be detrimental, relegating the No. 32 Redbox Chevy to a 23rd-place finish as the checkered flag waved.

 

Tayler Malsam on his Finish at Chicagoland Speedway:

“Tonight was really unfortunate for our team. We were just getting the truck dialed in to really compete when another truck absolutely ruined our night. Hillman and the guys did a great job in the pits. I really appreciated their hard work and determination to get our Redbox Chevy back on the track, no matter how many laps we were down. If hard work could’ve won the race tonight, these guys would’ve had it, without a doubt. At the end of day, this is racing. As much as I hate that another competitor ruined our chances tonight, we’ll all just put it behind us and go out there seeking redemption next time. I can’t thank Redbox and Outerwall enough for their continued support this season. I’m setting my sights on Las Vegas [Motor Speedway] now.”

 

TSM PR