Kaz Grala No. 33 STEALTH Chevrolet Silverado Talladega Recap

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In: NASCAR Truck Series News

Heading to Talladega Superspeedway for the first time in his NCWTS career, Kaz had confidence that his prior success at Daytona International Speedway would be a major asset to his weekend. Picking up where he left off the last time he was on a superspeedway, Kaz showed speed early on in practice and qualifying. After finishing the first round of qualifying with the third-fastest lap, Kaz looked poised to contend for the pole position in round two, but an issue with the engine was detected forcing the No. 33 STEALTH team to pull Kaz’s Chevy into the garage before qualifying was complete. With limited time before the race was set to begin, the No.33 team, with help from the rest of GMS Racing and Hendrick Engines, was able to successfully change engines before the start of the Fred’s 250.

 

Due to changing engines, Kaz was forced to start at the rear of the field for the 94-lap race. Charging his way through the field, Kaz had made his way up to the 12th position by lap 18 and was looking to score crucial stage points. Unfortunately before Kaz could make a move, a chain reaction began in the front of the field. Slowing down to avoid the wreck, the truck behind Kaz couldn’t get slowed down enough, spinning Kaz and ending his day early with a 29th-place finish.

 

Quote
“My No. 33 team, everyone at GMS Racing and at Hendrick Engines worked really hard to change that motor to get us out in time for the race. From what I could tell, it still felt like we were the fastest Chevy out there. Starting in the back, I made a lot of good moves to be in a position to get stage points at the end of the first stage. I’m not quite sure what happened but everyone checked up. I slowed down and thought I was going to miss it, but the truck behind me didn’t get slowed down fast enough and turned us up into the wall ending our day. That put an end to our championship hopes unfortunately, which is really a shame because I think this No. 33 team had really come alive in the later part of this season and I think we would have been a contender. We did our part in what we could control and I’m just super proud of my guys.”

 

Additional Info
– After the cutoff race for The Playoffs, Kaz was seeded eighth in the NCWTS Playoff Standings and will not advance to the Round of 6.

 

GMS Racing PR

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