Henderson Earns Strong Top-10 Finish in K&N Pro Series East Debut

In just his first NASCAR K&N Pro Series East start, Brian Henderson earned his first top-10 finish with Precision Performance Motorsports (PPM) at Virginia International Raceway (VIR) in the Biscuitville 125 on Saturday, April 30. Driving the BDL Motorsports sponsored No. 46 Chevrolet SS, Henderson, who is a regular competitor in the National Auto Sport Association (NASA) driving Spec Miatas at VIR and other road courses in the Mid-Atlantic region, finished the race in the ninth position.
 
The 18-year-old Virginia-native has multiple years of experience around VIR’s Full Course, but this race was not only his first in the NASCAR touring series but also his first on VIR’s North Course. Henderson posted the ninth-fastest lap out of 24 cars in Saturday morning’s single practice session. The track conditions were challenging with a light rain falling intermittingly throughout the morning, but not heavy enough to utilize rain tires. The K&N Pro Series is prepared to race in the rain with rain tires and a windshield wiper, windshield defogger, and tail light installed in the car.
 
In road course group qualifying, Henderson led the second of three groups of cars on track. After three timed laps, Henderson posted the fastest lap of the first 16 cars to qualify, guaranteeing him a starting spot within the top-10. Track conditions were damp, but would dry out for the race.
 
Henderson started the Biscuitville 125 from the ninth position. He raced the entire first half of the race in the top-10, running as high as seventh at the break for fuel on lap 30. Midway through the race, Henderson reported that the car was a little tight entering the corners, causing him to be loose on corner exits. Crew chief Charles Denike made adjustments at the break to improve the handling and Henderson resumed the race in the seventh position.
 
For the next seven laps, Henderson continued to race strong in the top-10. Unfortunately, on Lap 37, contact from another competitor sent Henderson spinning off the track in Turn 10. The No. 46 BDL Motorsports Chevrolet SS sustained minimal damage, but would rejoin the field in the 20th position following the caution. Henderson used his calm demeanor and prior road-racing experience to work his way back into the top-10 in the final 15 laps of the race. A late race caution resulted in a three-lap green flag sprint to the checkered flag, where Henderson was able to secure his ninth-place finish.
 
Henderson and PPM will return to action on May 30th for the ComServe Memorial Day Classic K&N Pro Series East event at Dominion Raceway.
 
Brian Henderson Quotes:
“I had an awesome time racing at VIR this weekend in my first K&N Pro Series East race. Huge thanks to everyone at PPM for all of their hard work. Also thanks to BDL Motorsports and Absolutely Amish Structures for their support. Overall it was a good first outing and I’m glad that we could bring home 9th place in our first race. I am looking forward to the next race at Dominion Raceway on May 30”.

PPM PR