Race Highlights:
Mike Bliss qualified 20th for the ToyotaCare 250, followed by Blake Koch in 25th, Cale Conley in 30th and David Starr in 33rd.
The 250-lap race included three cautions for 24 laps and four lead changes among three leaders.
Mike Bliss finished the 250-lap race 23rd, followed by Blake Koch in 24th, Cale Conley in 25th and David Starr in 29th.
Mike Bliss Finishes 23rd in the ToyotaCare 250
The 28th Annual ToyotaCare 250 seemed promising for Mike Bliss for last night’s event under the lights at Richmond International Raceway. During the soul practice session on Thursday morning, Bliss had a powerful Camry and ended the 2+ hour stint ninth. Powering through two of three qualifying session, Bliss started the 187.5-mile race from the 20th position. A tight race car out of the gate dropped the red and white Camry to 23rd by lap 31. To help aid the tight handling, Crew Chief Paul Clapprood called for four fresh Goodyear tires and an air pressure adjustment when the first caution fell on lap 48. Gaining a spot on track from a smooth pit stop, Bliss restarted 22nd. Enjoying the adjustments his crew made, Bliss was quiet on the radio, as he broke in to the top-20 on lap 89. By the second caution on lap 109 Bliss’ handling started to go. Pitting again for tires and a track-bar adjustment, Bliss was set for another green flag run. The final pit stop, for the “tightest race car he’s ever driven”, came with 38-laps to go under green flag conditions for the No. 19 team. Blending back into the field 29th, there was 20-laps to go. Rallying against teammates, Blake Koch and Cale Conley, Bliss beat out the two to salvage a 23rd place finish. Bliss’ finish marks his fifth top-25 finish of the 2015 season.
Start- 20th Finish- 23rd Laps Led- 0 Points- 21 points
Driver QUOTE: “We had a really great car; plenty of power, but the tire wear killed us on track position. Our efforts looked promising and I was really hoping we were on to something. My guys worked really hard setting this car up and I can’t thank them enough.”
Blake Koch finishes 24th in the ToyotaCare 250
Blake Koch and the No. 8 Promise Keepers Camry qualified 25th for the ToyotaCare 250 on Friday afternoon. Koch was comfortable in his Camry and was ready to get the 250-lap race underway. 25 laps into the race, Koch was running 23rd and by lap 39 was reporting that his Camry was loose. When the first caution came out, Koch brought his No. 8 Camry to pit road for four tires, fuel and a track bar adjustment. Running 24th on lap 85, Koch reported to the team that the adjustments helped, but “not a ton.” The caution flag waved and Koch reported that his Camry was better on the long run and came to pit road for four tires, fuel and additional adjustments. With 63 laps to go, Koch was running in the 27th position and would advance three positions to finish the race 24th.
Start- 25th Finish- 24th Laps Led -0 Points- 20 points
Driver QUOTE: “After qualifying, I felt very comfortable in my car and was ready to race. We ran a good race and I can’t thank my team and pit crew enough for their fast stops all night. I can’t wait to unload at Talladega Superspeedway next week!”
Cale Conley Finishes 25th in the ToyotaCare 250
The ToyotaCare 250 weekend was a frustrating one for Cale Conley and the No. 14 IAVA crew. The one-day show saw Conley qualify in the 30th position. As the 250-lap event got underway, Conley was able to advance position, quickly breaking into the Top 25. Unfortunately, tight handling conditions made it difficult for Conley to continue passing cars and he ended the night in the 25th position.
Start- 30th Finish- 25th Laps Led- 0 Points-19 points
Driver QUOTE: “Not the finish we wanted. The whole race was frustrating for me as I fought the handling of the car. On to Talladega.”
David Starr Finishes 29th in the ToyotaCare 250
David Starr qualified 33rd for Friday nights race, but started at the tail-end of the field due to adjustments made to the No. 44 Zachry Camry post-qualifying. By lap 23, Starr had worked his way to the 29th position. When the first caution came out, Starr reported that his Camry was tight in the center and didn’t have forward bite. Starr brought his Camry to pit road for tires, fuel and a track bar adjustment. Running 28th on lap 56, Starr was reporting that his Camry was tight in the center and loose off. Starr brought his Camry to pit road on lap 118 for four tires, fuel and multiple adjustments. The No. 44 Zachry Camry brought home a 29th place finish in the ToyotaCare 250.
Start – 33rd Finish- 29th Laps Led- 0 Points- 19 points
Driver QUOTE: “We incurred a series of unfortunate circumstances with the Zachry Canry here at Richmond. My team did everything possible to make adjustments throughout the race and we fought all night to gain position. It was certainly not the finish we had hoped for. It was a tough night. We will regroup in our efforts and look forward to Talladega.”
TMI PR
