Bayne Gets Top-15 Finish In Kentucky

By:
On:
In: Xfinity Series News

Trevor Bayne, driver of the No. 6 AdvoCare Ford Mustang, was battling for position inside the top 10 late in Saturday evening’s NASCAR Nationwide Series (NNS) event at Kentucky Speedway before sustaining damage to the right-side of his car following contact with the outside retaining wall. Bayne ultimately was scored with a 15th-place finish.

“Our car was quick tonight on the long runs,” said Bayne after the race. “I just hate that we got into the wall there late in the race. It made the car really tight and we just had to hold on at the end. I just want to thank Chad (Norris) and all of my guys for not giving up today. We were able to overcome sliding through Turn 3 early in the race to get back up inside the top 10 before we got the wall. I’m just ready to get back to the track next weekend with this No. 6 AdvoCare Ford Mustang and bring home a win in Dover.”

Bayne took the green flag for the 200-Lap event in the 11th position but was shuffled back to the 20th position after getting loose while battling for ninth with Roush Fenway Racing teammate Chris Buescher. Despite the early setback, Bayne was quickly able to rally following a Lap 18 restart and drove his way back into the top 10 15 laps later. Bayne would maintain his position inside the top 10 throughout the ensuing green flag run, reporting to crew chief Chad Norris that the No. 6 AdvoCare Ford Mustang was lacking overall grip and was loose all the way through the corner.

Then, during a Lap 67 caution, Bayne was able to improve four positions on pit road and returned to the track in sixth. Bayne cracked the top-five for the first time five laps later, racing his way up to fourth. Bayne remained inside the top five until the loose handling condition returned and the AdvoCare Mustang was shuffled back to seventh.

Bayne went on to run in the seventh position throughout the 49 lap green flag run. Crew chief Norris then utilized a Lap 169 caution to bring Bayne back to pit road for four tires, while the race leaders ahead of him took two tires. Restarting in the eighth position, Bayne made a three-wide move to work his way up to sixth before contact with the outside retaining wall on Lap 175 damaged the right-side of the AdvoCare Ford.

Bayne pitted several times for repairs in the closing stages of the event, but was unable to rectify the tight handling condition that was caused from the damage. In the end, Bayne would take the checkered flag in the 15th position.

With the result, Bayne remains sixth in the championship standings and trails championship leader Chase Elliott by 92 points as the NNS heads to Dover International Speedway next weekend.

RFR PR

Speedway Digest Staff
Follow Me
Latest posts by Speedway Digest Staff (see all)
Post Views: 38