Gray Gaulding and the Krispy Kreme Doughnuts Chevrolet team was taking out of race winning contention in Saturday nights Visit Hampton, Virginia 175 when an alternator failed during the mid portion of the race event.
Gray Gaulding rolled into Langley Speedway second in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East point standings. Gaulding turned fifty-five laps in Saturday’s single practice session, posting the seventh fast time of a 16.113 at 88.475 miles per hour. “I feel like we’re definitely in the ball park” said Gaulding following practice. “We need a little help through the center but I believe the track will come around to us.”
Gray Gaulding the ninth of twenty-two cars set to make their attempt during two lap qualifying laid down a lap time of 16.141. Gaulding would line his No.20 Krispy Kreme Doughnuts Chevrolet on the inside of row four for the evenings 175 lap event.
When the green flag dropped, Gaulding went into conservation mode knowing how import tire would be at the end of the 175 lap event. The first caution flag flew at lap seven for a spin behind Gaulding in turn two. The green flag was one again displayed at lap twelve, with guidance from his crew chief Doug Howe and spotter Lennie Chandler, Gaulding was able to cruise and save his equipment.
As green flag laps continued to click by, Gaulding knew he was a doing a great job of saving his equipment and staying inside the top-10. At lap 76, Gaulding came over the radio reporting engine issues, as the team worked to diagnose the issue Gaulding lost lots of valuable track position. When the second caution flag flew at lap 78 for a spin on the backstretch, Gaulding pulled his Krispy Kreme Doughnuts Chevrolet into the garage area.
Gaulding pulled back on track after diagnosing the problem as an alternator issue at lap 86, eight laps behind the leader. With no chance of getting back on the lead lap, it was simply a test session for Gaulding at this point. Gaulding was able to drive back through the field and run times as fast as the leader. When the checkered flag flew at lap 175, Gaulding crossed the line 18th.
From the Driver’s Seat with Gray Gaulding:
“It’s crazy how our season has gone, we have had some highs and had some lows. I honestly felt like we had a car to beat tonight but a part failure beat us. We will keep getting stronger and get after it at New Hampshire.”
On top of Box with Crew Chief Doug Howe:
“Gray was doing a terrific job saving his equipment, I wish he could have been in it at the end to give them a run for their money. We are on the right path, our time is coming.”
NTS Motorsports PR
