Kwasniewski Comes Home 21st in Atlanta Debut

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In: Xfinity Series News

The NASCAR Nationwide Series made its first and only stop of the 2014 season this weekend at the 1.5-mile Atlanta Motor Speedway for the Great Clips 300. Dylan Kwasniewski and his No. 31 Rockstar Energy Drink team looked for a solid finish in the young rookie’s debut at the Hampton, Georgia track. Kwasniewski started the weekend off by making it to the second round of NASCAR’s knockout qualifying, placing the Rockstar Chevy 15th on the starting grid. After fighting a loose racecar for the majority of the race and suffering a pit road speeding penalty toward the end of the 195-lap event, Kwasniewski crossed the finish line in 21st position.

 

 

Following the drop of the green flag, Kwasniewski maintained his position on the restart and settled into the 15th spot. By lap 19, Kwasniewski reported to crew chief Shannon Rursch that his Rockstar Energy Drink Chevy was loose everywhere. Despite the free condition, Kwasniewski would maintain his position in the top 15 until making his first green-flag pit stop on lap 50. During the stop, Rursch called for four tires, fuel and a wedge adjustment. Once green-flag pit stops cycled through, Kwasniewski found himself in 17th on lap 54.  Kwasniewski continued to stay in the top 20 and was scored in the 18th position when the first caution of the night came out on lap 73. Still fighting a loose racecar, Rursch called Kwasniewski down pit round for another set of Goodyear Tires, fuel and adjustments to help tighten up the Rockstar Energy Drink Chevy. Restarting in 20th, Kwasniewski continued to battle until the final caution of the night came out on lap 120. Making his last pit stop under caution, Rursch called for big changes to the Rockstar Energy Drink Chevy. Kwasniewski would maintain his position and restart 20th, quickly telling Rursch that the changes helped. Kwasniewski later made one more green-flag pit stop and continued to battle for the rest of night, ultimately coming home in the 21st position
 

Dylan Kwasniewski on Racing at Atlanta:

“Today was a tough day for this Rockstar Energy Drink Team. We just battled a loose racecar all night and couldn’t recover. Despite our finish, my guys worked hard all weekend and I couldn’t be more proud of them. I learned a lot tonight that I think we can take with us and grow on.  We will put this one behind us and move on to Richmond next weekend”.

 

TSM PR

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