Mike Wallace and the No. 01 JD Motorsports with Gary Keller team were involved in a wreck at Dover International Speedway, resulting in a 31^st place finish on Saturday afternoon.

The race weekend began with one long practice session on Friday afternoon. Owner Johnny Davis took the reigns as crew chief, leading to a mix of changes during practice. After qualifying on the pole for a brief moment, the team ended up rolling off 24^th to begin the race.

The veteran Wallace settled into the 28^th spot as the field made it to lap 48, before a caution slowed the field. The No. 01 machine was extremely loose, with the driver struggling to keep from wrecking. Davis called for a big swing, and the pit crew responded by taking four rounds out of the car. The changes helped, as Wallace moved into the top-25 racing hard against the competition and the track.

As the leader crossed the line to put Wallace two laps down, second place runner Kasey Kahne and Wallace collided on the track, leading to the No. 01 Chevy nosing into the inside wall. Wallace immediately radioed that the car was done, as he drove it to the garage. Unfortunately, the wreck resulted in a 31^st place finish. Wallace lost on spot in the Driver’s Standings, and the team maintained ground in the Owner’s Points battle.

Mike Wallace Quotes: “I hate it for our team and sponsors to wreck here today. I guess it was just a racing incident. My spotter cleared me off the corner, and I felt a little tap and around I went. I tried to keep it off the wall, but unfortunately we were sliding sideways and I had no control. This finish is not what we needed as a team, but Iowa is next, and that is a great race for the fans and the sport. Thanks to Ken Adams from Iron Source and our friends at Meding’s Seafood for the support this weekend.”

JD Motorsports PR

In his first start at his “home” track of Dover International Speedway, Travis Pastrana powered the No. 60 Roush Fenway Racing (RFR) Ford Mustang to a 15th-place finish.

“I just want to thank Jack Roush and everybody for really sticking behind me,” Pastrana said.  “Jason [Hedlesky] my spotter really just guided me through.  I want to be faster, I keep pushing myself.  Fifteenth is good and even 20^th.  I’m running with these guys I’ve looked up to my whole life.  I want to be better – I want to be up top.  For the first time here at this track, of course everyone hopes to win, but after yesterday I’m very happy with our finish.”

The NASCAR Nationwide Series (NNS) visited Dover for the first of two races this season at the tough one-mile track.  Pastrana turned his first laps on the track nicknamed the “Monster Mile” during the only practice session of the weekend for the NNS on Friday.

The 200-mile race took the green flag shortly after 2:30 p.m. on a hot day in Dover, with Pastrana rolling off 16^th.  On Lap 16, he radioed to the crew that the car started the run on the tight side, but the more laps he ticked off, the better the car became.

On Lap 46, the No. 60 visited pit road for the first time under caution, electing to take four tires, fuel and a wedge adjustment in an effort to make the car just a little bit looser.  Pastrana restarted 14^th and maintained his position in the top-15 until making his second pit stop of the day on Lap 79.  The crew put on four new tires, filled the car with fuel and made another chassis adjustment to give Pastrana more grip.

On the following run, Pastrana was quiet on the radio, as he adjusted the line he was running on the track in an attempt pick up some more speed.  He visited pit road from 17^th-place for his third stop of the day on Lap 114.  Pastrana was still satisfied with his car on the long run, but wanted to be a little freer on exit.  The No. 60 crew put on four tires, added fuel and made another chassis adjustment.

Pastrana restarted 17^th and continued to run in the top-20, as passing was at a premium.  As was the trend for the No. 60 during the race, the longer the green flag run continued, the happier Pastrana was with the car.

On Lap 161, the caution flag waved again.  Pastrana was happy with the overall balance of the car, but told the crew he was struggling to figure out how to run faster around the track.  He visited pit road for the final time of the day on Lap 163, taking four more tires with an air pressure adjustment.  He restarted 16^th and was able to gain one position on the final run of the day, ultimately finishing 15^th.

Joey Logano won his third straight NNS race at Dover, while Brian Vickers and Matt Kenseth took second and third.  RFR teammate Trevor Bayne finished fourth, with Kyle Busch rounding out the top-five.

RFR PR

Parker Kligerman and the No. 77 Toyota Racing team overcame two pit road miscues, one by the over-the-wall crew and one by the driver, to post a respectable 11^th-place finish in the 5-Hour Energy 200 at Dover (Del.) International Speedway. Kligerman came from the tail end of the field twice and gained five positions over the final 20 laps to post his eighth consecutive top-15 finish. The comeback allowed the talented youngster to maintain sixth place in the championship standings with 11 of 33 races complete.

"We finished 11^th in our All Metal Fabricators Camry, but it really wasn't representative of what speed we had, what good of car we had, so it's disappointing," said Kligerman of his eventful day. "We probably had a top-five car there at the end and just had a pit malfunction there at the start of the race and went to the back and passed all the way to the top-10 and had another pit malfunction at the end and went to the back and got back to 11th.  We passed most of the cars, and we're pretty upset about it."

After starting from the 14^th spot the Connecticut native communicated that his No. 77 Camry was tight in the early stages, but began loosening up as the race proceeded caution free for the first 46 laps. He was scored in the 13^th position when a one-car spin brought out the first caution of the race on lap 47. After a four-tire and fuel stop was administered, the jack got stuck underneath his car while leaving his pit box and per NASCAR rules was sent to the tail end of the field for the lap-52 restart.

From the 21^st position the 22-year-old slowly began to slowly but surely maneuver his way forward. By the time the next caution occurred on lap 81 he was scored in the 18^th spot. Relaying that his Camry was still extremely loose, the over-the-wall crew administered a four-tire and fuel stop with a trackbar adjustment and returned their driver to the track scored in the 16^th position for the ensuing restart.

With the track continuing to change as rubber laid down, Kligerman communicated to crew chief Eric Phillips that the aggressive adjustment was still not enough to help his ill-handling All Metal Fabricators Camry. He had gained just one position when the field was slowed for the third time on lap 114.

The over-the-wall crew made both wedge and trackbar adjustments in addition to the four-tire and fuel stop and returned their driver to the track scored in the 14^th position for the lap-120 restart. After another quick caution, Kligerman's Camry came to life on the ensuing green-flag run. By the time the fifth and final caution occurred on lap 162, he had worked his way into the top 10 for the first time.

Looking to give his driver track position as the 200-lap event approached the final stages, Phillips called for a right-side only stop. Looking to gaining as many positions as possible, Kligerman was pegged for speeding entering the pits and once again was sent to the tail end of the field for the ensuing restart.

A determined driver made the best of the situation over the 34-lap green-flag run. Restarting from the 18^th spot, he not only made it through lap traffic, but over the final 15 laps advanced four positions to bring home a hard-fought 11^th-place finish.

Joey Logano picked up his first Nationwide Series win of 2013 and third in NASCAR's second division at "The Monster Mile." Brian Vickers crossed the strip 0.576 seconds behind Logano in the runner-up spot. Matt Kenseth and Trevor Bayne finished third and fourth, respectively, and Kyle Busch rounded out the top-five finishers.

There were five caution periods totaling 28 laps. Five drivers led a lap, exchanging the lead nine times. Eleven drivers failed to finish the 200-lap event.

Kligerman and his No. 77 Toyota Racing team, who rank 10^th in the Nationwide Series owner's point standings, head to Iowa Speedway in Newton for the Dupont Pioneer 250. Live television coverage of Saturday's 250-lap event begins with NASCAR Countdown at 7:30 p.m. ET on ESPN.

KBM PR

Race Highlights:

• Richard Childress Racing teammates finished eighth (Austin Dillon), 14th (Brian Scott) and 23rd (Ty Dillon).
• Dillon is fifth in the Nationwide Series driver championship point standings, trailing leader Regan Smith by 53 markers, while Scott is eighth in the standings, 68 points behind Smith.
• The No. 3 Chevrolet team ranks seventh in the Nationwide Series owner championship point standings, with the No. 33 team ninth in the standings and the No. 2 team 12th.
• According to NASCAR's Post-Race Loop Data Statistics, A. Dillon maintained the third-best Average Running Position (4.055), was the third-Fastest Driver on Restarts (143.190 mph), had the fourth-best Driver Rating (113.4) and was the fourth-Fastest Driver Early in a Run (145.686 mph).
• Scott made 16 Quality Passes, ranking him eighth.
• T. Dillon made 19 Quality Passes, ranking him fifth.
• Joey Logano earned his first victory of the 2013 Nationwide Series season and was followed to the finish line by Brian Vickers, Matt Kenseth, Trevor Bayne and Kyle Busch.
• The next Nationwide Series race is the Pioneer 250 at Iowa Speedway on Saturday, June 8. The 12th race of the 2013 season is scheduled to be televised live on ESPN beginning at 8 p.m. Eastern Time and broadcast live on the Motor Racing Network and Sirius XM NASCAR Satellite Radio.

Brian Scott Earns a 14th -Place Finish at Dover International Speedway

Brian Scott and the No. 2 Shore Lodge team took the checkered flag in the 14th spot Saturday afternoon at Dover International Speedway, after fighting lack of grip most of the NASCAR Nationwide Series race. In the early stages of the 200-lap event, the 25-year-old reported he was fighting both a loose and tight condition. The caution-flag was displayed for the first time on lap 45 allowing Scott to make a trip down pit road for four fresh tires, fuel and adjustments. Over the course of the next run, Scott reported the handling improved, but was still fighting the tight condition, as he climbed to 12th place. The crew continued to make adjustments to improve the handling on the No. 2 Shore Lodge Camaro throughout the remainder of the event. The field stretched out as several lengthy green-flag runs ensued. The caution flag was displayed for the final time on lap 161 and crew chief Phil Gould called Scott to the attention of the pit crew for two tires, fuel and adjustments. The Boise, Idaho, native restarted from the ninth spot before ultimately crossing the finish line 14th.

Start - 10          Finish - 14          Laps Led - 0          Points - 8th

BRIAN SCOTT QUOTE:

"We had a good qualifying effort, but we just played catch up come race time by fighting lack of grip. Track position was important as there were long green flag runs, we just didn't get the track position we needed to contend. I'll take this weekend as a learning lesson and move on to Iowa."  

Ty Dillon has top-10 run Negated by Late-Race Tire Vibration  

at Dover International Speedway

Ty Dillon and the No. 33 Wesco Chevrolet team took the initial green flag for the 200-lap race at Dover International Speedway in eighth place. The part-time Nationwide Series driver for Richard Childress Racing remained in and near the top-10 for much of the race around the one-mile oval. Early in the event, Dillon reported to crew chief Ernie Cope that his Chevrolet Camaro was loose into the turns, tight in the center and then loose off. The caution flew on lap 45 giving Dillon the opportunity to hit pit road and take four tires, fuel, chassis and air pressure adjustments. Through three other stops under caution, Dillon received four tires, fuel, chassis and air pressure adjustments. On the fourth stop under caution, Cope called for two right-side tires on lap 161. Each stop allowed the No. 33 team to improve their position on pit road by one or two markers. As the laps wound down, Dillon was solidly inside the top-10 when he reported a vibration developed in the right-rear tire on lap 185. The vibration became too much to make it to the end of the event and Cope ordered the driver to pit road under green with 13 laps remaining to change tires. Dillon returned to action two laps down to the leader, relegating him to a 23rd-place finish.  

TY DILLON QUOTE:
"We had such a good run going here at Dover (International Speedway). We were running in the top-10, we were holding our own against the regulars and I was so sure we were going to leave here with a decent finish. When that vibration started, I didn't see any sense in staying out and tearing up our Wesco Chevrolet - or anyone else's car. We did the right thing by pitting, I just wish our finish would show what a good race we had going. I would like to thank Wesco for all they do to make this possible."

RCR PR

Kyle Busch and the No. 54 Monster Energy team came away from week 11 in the NASCAR Nationwide Series with a fifth-place finish at Dover (Del.) International Speedway. The six-time 2013 winning Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR) team had high expectations on the concrete track appropriately named the ‘Monster Mile,’ after leading the race for 72 of 200 event laps. A late race caution period and a subsequent decision to visit pit road for four new tires, placed the No. 54 outside the top 10 at green-flag restart. Busch battled back towards the front and passed six cars over the waning laps, but ran out of time to reach the front of the field and finished in fifth place.

Busch qualified in third place for today's 200-lap NASCAR Nationwide Series event. That wasn’t an indication of how fast the team would be for the 200-mile race. In Friday’s one and only practice session, the Toyota team didn’t take long to determine they had a really good car, at times dominating the speed charts 3/10th's faster than the entire field.

That speed showed itself again after race start as Busch worked quickly to pursue the cars ahead of him, tracking down Sam Hornish Jr., then Austin Dillon and taking the lead by lap 36. The three-time ‘Monster Mile’ winning Nationwide Series driver wasn’t completely comfortable with his race car and described to the team a tight car condition that needed attention. Crew chief Adam Stevens prepared his crew for the first pit road visit of the day on lap 47 under a yellow-flag caution when Busch drove onto pit road from first place.

The car adjustments made during the first pit stop of the day felt good to Busch as he continued to lead the race, until a second round of pit stops took place around the event’s halfway mark. The black No. 54 machine visited pit road a second time for similar adjustments. At this point Busch asked for an ice pack to place inside his suit. With outside temperatures reaching 95 degrees, the heat inside Busch’s Camry reached upwards of 115 degrees, forcing the driver to remain aware of his body temperature.

The third event caution took place at lap 112. Still in the lead, Busch visited the team on pit road for new tires and fuel. After the stops completed the No. 54 was scored in second place. The only car that beat the Monster Energy crew off pit road was the No. 5 team who had only replaced two tires. Upon green flag restart, Stevens reminded Busch to save fuel where he could, in order to strengthen the team’s fuel strategy for end of race.

A subsequent fourth event caution and green flag restart on lap 135 gave the Toyota driver the chance to regain the lead from the No. 5 car. The additional laps under caution allowed the team to save enough fuel for race end which Stevens communicated to his veteran series driver. “We’re all good, however, don’t use more than you have to,” Stevens explained.

Unknown at the time, the fifth event caution on lap 161, would turn out to be the final one. As pit road opened for teams to visit, a discussion began between Busch and his team, who contemplated the visit. While the team knew they had enough fuel to bring them to the checkered flag, the decision focused on tires. Feedback between driver and crew chief centered on whether there were enough laps remaining to risk a pit road visit to replenish tires. After discussing it quickly, though, Busch felt the risk to spend time on pit road to take on four fresh tires and further car adjustments would strengthen his position and provide him additional track ‘grip.’

Unfortunately, the gamble didn’t pay off. With only 30 laps remaining at green-flag restart, from an 11^th-place spot and without one final late-race caution period to bunch up the field, there was not enough time to reach the front of the pack. Busch gained six spots and reached fifth place by the time the checkered flag waived. 

“It was my fault,” described a dejected Bush post race. “I wanted four tires, I wanted the grip. Those guys who took two tires didn’t fall off and we didn’t draw a late caution, so it hurt us,” he continued.

The No. 54 Monster Energy team owned by J.D. Gibbs maintains first place in the Owner’s Point standings, now leading the No. 7 of Kelley Earnhardt-Miller by 40 points.

Joey Logano won the event, his 19^th NASCAR Nationwide Series win in 114 races. Joe Gibbs Racing teammates Brian Vickers and Matt Kenseth finished second and third respectively, with Trevor Bayne finishing fourth. There were five caution periods for 28 laps of the race along with nine lead changes across five drivers. Busch led three times for 72 laps earning him the 3M Lap Leader Award.

The NASCAR Nationwide Series competes again on June 8 in the DuPont Pioneer 250 at Iowa Speedway in Newton, with television broadcast starting at 8:00 p.m. ET on ESPN. Drew Herring will make his first start behind the wheel of the Joe Gibbs Racing No. 54 Monster Energy Camry, scheduled to compete with the team in both Iowa Nationwide Series races this season.

KBM/JGR PR

Eric McClure and the No. 14 Hefty®/Reynolds® Camry finished 24^th in Saturday’s NASCAR Nationwide Series event at the “Monster Mile” after qualifying in the 32^nd position.  With this finish, McClure maintains the 23^rd position in the NASCAR Owner standings, 21 points out of the 20^thspot heading into next weekend’s event at Iowa Speedway.

At the drop of the green flag, McClure quickly advanced two positions in the running order and maintained the position until he picked up an additional spot on lap 18.

Battling an extremely loose-handling car, the team was able to make a series of chassis adjustments under the event’s first caution period on lap 48.  The crew also changed four tires and added fuel during the initial pit stop.  When the race resumed on lap 52, the team was scored in the 29^th position.

Despite slipping two positions on the restart, McClure was able to regain the positions lost by lap 71.  The car’s handling had slightly improved during the green-flag run, but McClure was now fighting a car that was tight in the center and snappy loose on exit of the turns. When the event’s second caution flag waved on lap 79, McClure again brought his orange and blue Camry to pit road where the team changed four tires, added fuel, and made a track-bar adjustment.  Once the service was complete, McClure returned to the track in the 28^th position.

Over the next several laps, the car’s handling again improved and McClure was able to not only advance to the 27^th position, but also run his fastest lap of the race at that point by the time the event’s third caution flag waved on lap 112.  It was then that chief John Monsam made the call for McClure to remain on track and receive the “wave around” which allowed him to restart 25^th when the race resumed on lap120.

Fortunately, the gamble paid off as the caution flag waved one lap later, allowing the Virginia driver to bring his car to pit road for the last scheduled stop of the afternoon.  The team changed four tires, added fuel, and made another track bar adjustment during this stop in hopes of helping the car’s tight in the center and snappy loose-off condition.  When the race resumed on lap 128, McClure was scored in the 26^th position.

During the remaining laps, McClure not only ran his fastest laps of the race, but also advanced two positions in the running order to finish the 5-Hour Energy 200 in the 24^th position.

Driver, Eric McClure Quotes:

“It was an OK finish, but we really didn’t run well.  We struggled most of the weekend and I didn’t help matters either as I was feeling a little sick.  It’s just disappointing to fight as hard as we do and have nothing to show for it.  We will keep our heads high though and keep working at it and hopefully something will turn around soon.” 

TMI PR

Joey Coulter entered the sixth race on the 2013 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series (NCWTS) schedule at Dover (Del.) International Speedway on a mission to make monster-sized strides not only on the field, but in the points as well. After starting 24th, the Toyota Racing driver advanced more positions after 200 miles than any other driver in the field - gaining 16 spots on the Dover high-banks - to bring home his second top-10 finish in three starts at the "Monster Mile," and second top 10 of the 2013 Truck Series season.

"It was a great day for the No. 18 Darrell Gwynn Foundation Toyota Tundra team," said Coulter. "Qualifying definitely didn't go our way, but we picked up a lot of positions on track, just like we needed to do. The guys on pit road did a great job getting me good track position each time and Harold (Holly, crew chief) made good pit calls and kept making the right adjustments on the truck. It was just a great recovery from qualifying by the entire team, a solid point's day and I couldn't be happier for this entire team. We needed a good weekend and we just kept digging, no one gave up, worked hard and came out of here with a top 10."

At a race track where track position is critical and passing is minimal, Coulter knew he had his hands full going into Friday night's Lucas Oil 200. Starting the 200-lap event from the 24th position, the Florida native made the best of the trucks in front of him in the opening laps and following the first caution at lap two for a three-truck accident in Turn 3, the 18 Darrell Gwynn Foundation Toyota was scored 15th.

In the early stages of the event, Coulter found that his Toyota Tundra was "free in the center of the corner and off," so when the field was slowed for the second time on lap 45 for a spin on the backstretch, crew chief Harold Holly brought the No. 18 machine down pit road for four tires, fuel and a chassis adjustment. Solid work by the over-the-wall crew allowed the 18 to gain one spot on pit road. When racing resumed on lap 50, the 18 was scored ninth.

Over the course of the long green flag run Coulter radioed into his crew that his Tundra was "free on landing and snug in the center and on exit." It wasn't until a scheduled green flag pit stop on lap 125 that Coulter was able to bring his Darrell Gwynn Foundation Tundra to pit road for adjustments. Four tires including an air pressure adjustment, fuel and a trackbar adjustment were administered to aid in the handling. When the 36-truck field cycled through pit stops at lap 147, Coulter was scored eighth.

Although, the 18 machine was good to go on fuel to the end, when the fourth caution flag was displayed on lap 160 for debris in turn 3, Holly made the call to bring the Tundra down pit road for tires. Considering tires are critical on the abrasive 1-mile oval, four tires and a splash of fuel were the call for the 18 team. When racing resumed on lap 163, Coulter was scored seventh.

In the closing laps, Coulter was happy with the handling of his Toyota Tundra and the lap times proved it - gaining two positions on track before the field was slowed for the sixth and final time at lap 193 for an accident in Turn 3. With track position at a premium, Coulter stayed out for the final restart with four laps remaining, scored fifth.

When the field entered Turn 1 on the lap-196 restart, Coulter on the high side was blocked by the 17 machine on the bottom and shuffled back to the eighth position, which is where he crossed the start/finish line at lap 200.

Kyle Busch owner-driver of the No. 51 entry for Kyle Busch Motorsports won the 14th Annual Lucas Oil 200, his second consecutive win of 2013 in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series and 16th win as an owner-driver for KBM. Matt Crafton (second) posted his sixth top 10 finish this season. Ryan Blaney (third) was the highest finishing rookie, posting his first top-10 finish in his debut at Dover International Speedway. Chase Elliott and Brendan Gaughan rounded out the top five, respectively. Teammate Darrell Wallace, Jr. led a race-high 119 laps and finished 10th.

The field was slowed six times during the 200-lap event for 29 laps and the lead was exchanged seven times between six different drivers. KBM drivers Kyle Busch and Darrell Wallace, Jr. led 169 of the 200 laps in the sixth race on the 2013 schedule.

Coulter's strong performance allowed the 22-year-old driver to gain valuable points in the 2013 NCWTS driver point standings. The No. 18 remains 11th, but a mere three points outside the top 10, 28 markers behind fifth-place Ryan Blaney and 72 points behind series leader Matt Crafton.

The NCWTS heads to Texas Motor Speedway in Fort Worth for Friday night's WinStar World Casino 400. Coulter has four starts at the 1.5-mile track and is the only Truck Series driver to finish in the top-10 in all four races. Live television coverage of the 31st Annual Truck Series event at TMS will air live on SPEED at 9 p.m. ET.

KBM PR

History and heritage converged Saturday at Bowman Gray Stadium as Ben Kennedy took home the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East checkered flag in the NASCAR Hall of Fame 150.

Kennedy, the great-grandson of Bill France Sr., captured his second career K&N Pro Series East victory at one of the sport’s most historic tracks. Not only was France the founding father of NASCAR, but he was also responsible for bringing auto racing to Bowman Gray in 1949.

Sixty-four years later, the two were reconnected.

Kennedy took the lead on Lap 124 and held it the balance of the 150-lap race for his third overall NASCAR victory. His first win came in 2012 in Tours, France in Euro-Racecar NASCAR Touring Series action. His previous K&N Pro Series East triumph came on April 13 of this season at Five Flags Speedway in Pensacola, Fla.

“Man, this is just awesome,” Kennedy said from Victory Lane. “I’ve got to thank BK Racing and absolutely everyone that made this possible to win here at Bowman Gray. I’m speechless over that.”

Dylan Kwasniewski crossed the line second with Brandon Gdovic third. Kenzie Ruston and Jesse Little brought home the top five. Mackena Bell, Bryan Ortiz, Gray Gaulding, Daniel Suárez and Cole Custer rounded out the evening’s top-10 finishers.

Polesitter Brett Moffitt, who led from the start, suffered battery issues mid-race and may have been running underpowered when Kennedy overtook him for the deciding lead change on Lap 124. Moffitt had to pit for a battery change and eventually finished 13th. Despite the bad luck Moffitt maintained his lead in the point standings and holds a four-point advantage over Gdovic and a seven-point edge on Kwasniewski.

The NASCAR Hall of Fame 150 will air on SPEED on June 6 at 3 p.m. ET.

The NASCAR K&N Pro Series East will return to action on Friday, June 7 at Iowa Speedway in Newton, Iowa in the Casey’s General Stores 150 combination race with the NASCAR K&N Pro Series West.

NASCAR PR

NASCAR PR