Sunoco Rookie of the Year contender, Max Gresham made his debut at “The Rock” along with 35 other NASCAR Camping World Truck Series (NCWTS) drivers in Sunday’s Good Sam Roadside Assistance 200 presented by Cheerwine. This was the first NASCAR event at the historic 1.017-mile track since 2004.
Starting 15th, the No. 24 Made In USA Brand driver battled a loose-handling Chevrolet Silverado in the early stages of the 200 lap race. Long green-flag runs plagued the field and after just 61 laps, there were only 11 trucks on the lead lap when the second caution flag was displayed.
Falling back as low as 24th, Gresham utilized every opportunity to come down pit road for four tires, fuel and a chassis adjustment to aid in the handling of his machine.
Although the rookie driver was mired laps down to the race leaders, a solid effort on track netted the Georgia native an 18th-place finish in the third event on the 2012 NCWTS schedule.
Max Gresham Quotes:
“Rockingham was a challenge, but it was a great learning experience for me and my crew chief, Richie (Snyder). We started out free; no front or rear grip. The long green-flag runs got us caught a lap down early on and we never recovered from it. Then, with about 50 laps to go, my truck started to get too tight through the center. We really had to work hard for every position we got today, it definitely wasn’t a nice ‘Sunday drive.’ We head to Kansas next week, which is a track that I really like. Hopefully, we can come out of there with a better finish and continue this forward climb in the points.”
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