Kwasniewski Crosses the Finish Line 14th at Charlotte

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The NASCAR Nationwide Series (NNS) made its second and final stop of the 2014 season at Charlotte Motor Speedway on Friday night for the Drive for the Cure 300. Dylan Kwasniewski and his No. 31 F.O.E team looked to continue the momentum gained in Kansas while racing at Turner Scott Motorsports’ home track. After getting a feel for the mile-and-a-half track during the first practice session on Thursday afternoon, Kwasniewski and the No. 31 team finished second practice in the 3rd position. Kwasniewski returned to the track on Friday afternoon and qualified 21st in NASCAR’s knockout qualifying session. After suffering damage on the first lap of the race, Kwasniewski continued to battle, crossing the finish line in the 14th position.

 

As soon as the green flag dropped on the 200-lap event, Kwasniewski’s No. 31 machine suffered damage when another competitor missed a shift, causing an accordion effect that damaged nine cars and resulted in a quick caution to start the race. During the caution, crew chief Shannon Rursch called Kwasniewski down pit road to repair damage to the rear end and nose of the F.O.E Chevy. After taking time to repair the damage but staying on the lead lap, Kwasniewski restarted in the 30th position. Kwasniewski wasted no time gaining spots back as he moved up five spots by the time the second caution waved on lap 18. Under this caution, Rursch once again called Kwasniewski down pit road, this time taking four tires and fuel while making wholesale adjustments to the F.O.E. Chevy. After restarting 24th on lap 22, Kwasniewski maintained a top-20 position until green-flag pit stops started on lap 57. With other competitors coming down pit road, Kwasniewski worked his way up to the fourth position before a timely caution came out on lap 69. With only a handful of cars on the lead lap, Kwasniewski came down pit road for another pit stop, changing four tires and taking on Sunoco racing fuel before restarting fourth on lap 74. Still battling a tight racecar from the earlier damage, Kwasniewski dropped back to the 12th spot by lap 90, a position he held onto until the fifth caution came out on lap 134. After making one final pit stop, Kwasniewski continued to run solid lap times, coming home in the 14th position at the end of the 200-lap race.

  

Dylan Kwasniewski on Racing at Charlotte: 

“Tonight was an okay night for my F.O.E team. We suffered damage in that first caution which caused our car to be tight for most of the night. Shannon [Rursch] and the guys worked hard to make the necessary repairs on pit road, and we ended up being okay once we restarted. We will take the next two weeks off, regroup, and get ready for the final three races of the season starting in Texas.”
 
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