Making his 337th-career start in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series (NCWTS), making him the all-time leader, Ron Hornaday started the Fan Appreciation 200 at Iowa Speedway from the 13th position.
With eyes on the front of the field, Hornaday reported to crew chief Bruce Cook on lap 23 from the 11th position that his No. 9 Anderson’s Maple Syrup Chevrolet Silverado was a little too loose. The team earned their first opportunity to tweak the No. 9 truck under the first caution on lap 37. Bringing the No. 9 Anderson’s Maple Syrup Chevrolet Silverado to pit road, the team changed four tires, added fuel and made a track-bar adjustment sending Hornaday back on track in the 14th position.
Continuing under a long green-flag condition, Hornaday kept the team updated with how his truck was handling, reporting on lap 54 that he was tight off the corners. Battling for position, Hornaday found himself in the middle of a three-wide battle for 11th on lap 95 with competitors Jeb Burton and Brandon Jones. Slipping several positions, Cook called Hornaday to pit road on lap 128 for four tires, fuel and another track-bar adjustment.
The caution flag waved on lap 137 with Hornaday in the 14th position and after the race returned to green-flag racing, Hornaday slipped to 19th.
As the caution waved again on lap 169 for debris, the No. 9 Anderson’s Maple Syrup team made their final stop of the race for four tires and fuel. The Fan Appreciation 200 restarted on lap 173.
Running in the 19th position, Hornaday reported on lap 187 while under caution that he was battling a very loose Chevrolet Silverado. Surviving several late-race cautions that forced the field to two attempts at green-white-checker finishes, Hornaday was able to secure the 17th position when he crossed the finish line on lap 212.
Hornaday Hype:
“I was very proud to have the Anderson’s Maple Syrup truck run towards the front of the field early in the race. The late race cautions didn’t help our strategy and we weren’t able to capitalize on another top-five finish this weekend. I have no doubt that our NTS Motorsports team is working hard to put together a great truck for our next race in Chicago.”
NTS Motorsports PR
