Tristar Motorsports Drive to Stop Diabetes 300: Post Race Report

The Drive to Stop Diabetes 300 is complete at Bristol Motor Speedway.  Each team had their ups and downs throughout the weekend as the track changed and as the temperature changed, but the teams made the proper adjustments to get through the race. Next weekend we head to California’s Auto Club Speedway for the TreatmyClot.com 300.

 

Will Kimmel Finishes 22nd at Bristol Motor Speedway

 

Will Kimmel and the No. 44 Ingersoll Rand Toyota Camry qualified 22nd for Saturday’s race at Bristol Motor Speedway. During the first caution, Kimmel brought the No. 44 Ingersoll Rand Camry to pit road for four tires and fuel and restarted in the 24th position. After the caution flag came out for debris in turn three, Kimmel came on the radio asking for more grip. The No. 44 Ingersoll Rand team got scuff tires ready for Kimmel’s pit stop. Kimmel finished the Drive to Stop Diabetes 300 in the 22nd position and sits 24th in the 2014 NASCAR Nationwide Series Driver Point Standings. 

 

Mike Bliss Finishes 26th at Bristol Motor Speedway

 

Mike Bliss and the No. 19 TriStar Motorsports Toyota Camry qualified 10th for the Drive to Stop Diabetes 300 at the ½ mile track on Saturday.  On lap 25, Bliss was running 19th. During the first caution, the No. 19 Camry came to pit road for four tires, fuel and adjustments. On lap 136 Bliss took a spin in turn 4, which caused left front-end damage and left rear damage. The TriStar Motorsports crew worked hard on getting Bliss back out on track without loosing multiple laps. Bliss and the No. 19 TriStar Motorsports team finished 26th and currently sit 11th in the Driver Point Standings going into this weekends race at Auto Club Speedway.

 

Eric McClure Finishes 27th at Bristol Motor Speedway

 

Eric McClure and the No. 14 Hefty®/Reynolds Wrap® Camry qualified 35th for Saturday’s race at the World’s Fastest Half-Mile. McClure battled a car that was loose on entry and tight on the exit of the turns. On lap 97, McClure brought the No. 14 Hefty®/Reynolds Wrap® Camry to pit road for four tires, fuel, an air pressure adjustment and a track-bar adjustment. Throughout the race, the No. 14 Hefty®/Reynolds Wrap® team continued to improve the handling of the car and brought home a 27th place finish and currently sits 18th in the Driver Point Standings heading into next weekend’s race at Auto Club Speedway. 

 

Blake Koch Finishes 40th at Bristol Motor Speedway

 

Blake Koch and the No. 10 Support Military Foundation Toyota Camry qualified 24th for the Drive to Stop Diabetes 300. During Friday’s practice sessions, Koch felt the car was “secure”, but was still looking for a better run during qualifying. At one point during segment one of qualifying, Koch was sitting within the top ten! When the race started, Koch came on the radio thanking everyone for all of their hard work, but after three laps he brought the No. 10 Support Military Foundation Camry to pit road for reports of something wrong under the hood. Koch and the No. 10 Camry finished 40th in Saturday’s race and sits 19th in the Driver Point Standings.

 

TMI PR