No. 34 B'laster Ford Mustang Dark Horse:
Michael McDowell started the afternoon on pole, his fifth of the season. Keeping the No. 34 B'laster Ford Mustang Dark Horse out front, he was able to lead the opening 29 laps. As the stage went on, McDowell reported that the car was a little free with clean air on the nose, but after the No. 34 was shuffled in the pack, needed more front turn. McDowell finished Stage 1 in 15th place, under caution. During the second stage, McDowell said the car was tight in traffic and could not get drafting momentum as the majority of the field was saving fuel. He finished Stage 2 in 17th place. On the ensuing pit stop, Crew Chief Travis Peterson made the call to take right side tires only, giving McDowell much needed track position and the lead. After leading another lap, a series of yellow flags allowed the field and McDowell to top off fuel. As the final stage progressed, McDowell's car continued to be tight in traffic. After a caution forced NASCAR Overtime, the No. 34 took four tires to get back to the front. McDowell was able to navigate through the carnage of a white-flag wreck to finish the day in 22nd place. He led 30 laps.
Start: 1st
Stage One: 15th
Stage Two: 17th
Race Result: 22nd
DRIVER MICHAEL MCDOWELL:
"Tough day, especially with taking the pole again here at Atlanta. We were good out in clean air and knew track position would be important, but as soon as we got shuffled back in the pack, we were really tight and couldn't go anywhere. But overall, still proud of everyone at Front Row Motorsports for bringing another fast Ford Mustang Dark Horse, and big thanks to B'laster for being on the car this weekend."
No. 38 CITGARD Ford Mustang Dark Horse:
Todd Gilliland qualified third in the fan-favorite CITGARD scheme for the 260-lap event. Lining up behind pole sitter and teammate, Michael McDowell, Gilliland fought to stay up front, drafting with McDowell and manufacturer teammates. Gilliland struggled with the handling of his Ford Mustang Dark Horse, causing him to drop back and finish Stage 1 in the 16th position. Gilliland pitted for tires and fuel under the stage-break caution, restarting within the Top-15. Gilliland continued to battle the handing of his race car before a caution for debris gave Gilliland a chance to pit for right-side tires, fuel, and adjustments to tighten up the No. 38 Ford Mustang Dark Horse. Gilliland finished out Stage 2, finished 14th. Gilliland started the final stage on fresh tires and topped off on fuel. After a series of cautions and trips to pit road, the race went into Overtime. Gilliland was involved in a last lap incident, forcing him to cross the start/finish line backwards for a 27th place finish.
Start: 3rd
Stage One: 16th
Stage Two: 14th
Race Result: 27th
DRIVER TODD GILLILAND:
"It's a frustrating result, for sure. FRM is building really fast Ford Mustang Dark Horse's right now so it feels like a missed opportunity, but I am still super proud of this 38 group. We did everything we could do, we just fought the race track all day. There is still a lot of racing left to compete for points and wins. We'll bounce back at Watkins Glen."
"I want to give a huge shoutout to CITGARD for showing up in full force, and with Shipton's Big R too. It was great having them at the track and supporting me and the team."
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