In his second NASCAR Nationwide Series (NNS) start of the season with Turner Scott Motorsports (TSM), Chase Pistone brought home an 18th-place finish after fighting handling issues throughout the evening in the US Cellular 250. Pistone and the No. 31 TSM team got started on a high note, as they laid down the fastest lap time in the weekend’s first practice session and followed up by advancing to the final round of knockout qualifying, ultimately earning a 12th-place starting position for the event. As the green flag waved, Pistone quickly settled into the top 15 before the first caution flag waved at lap 26, and crew chief Shannon Rursch elected to bring the No. 31 Chevrolet to pit road for four tires and fuel, along with a wedge and track-bar adjustment. When the race resumed on lap 31, Pistone sat in the 22nd position, as most of the other competitors elected to stay out. Pistone made quick work of the new Goodyear Eagles and marched up to the 14th position by lap 34. When the second caution of the race flew, Pistone remained on the track and moved into the second position; but staying out on older tires would prove to be a challenge, as he spun his tires on the restart and received slight damage from another competitor. Dropping back to 17th position, the third caution of the race flew on lap 109 and Rursch called the No. 31 car to pit road to inspect the damage. After a through assessment, Pistone rejoined the field in 20th position and began to battle handling issues that halted the Chevrolet from advancing through the field. A caution on lap 185, however, allowed the No. 31 car to gain a couple track positions, despite being scored a lap down. The final caution of the race fell on lap 243, and with the No. 31 car not in position to gain the lucky dog, Pistone took advantage of the wave-around to get back onto the lead lap. Maintaining his position throughout the final three-lap shootout, Pistone settled for an 18th-place finish as the checkered flag waved.
Chase Pistone on Racing at Iowa:
“That was a tough night for our Turner Scott Motorsports team. We had a really fast Chevrolet all weekend long, and I felt great about our chances heading into the race. Unfortunately, we battled the handling on the car throughout the race, and after falling a lap down, we just couldn’t recover. Overall, I’m really proud of all the guys for giving me a great racecar this weekend and giving me the opportunity to race this No. 31 car again. I wish we had a better outcome, but I came out here to learn from these guys and to gain experience; I think I did that.”
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