No. 34 Love's Travel Stops Ford Mustang Dark Horse:
Starting 21st at the Roval, Michael McDowell was eyeing another strong road course performance, and he wasted no time making up track position, even after giving back several places after locking up going into the backstretch chicane. Working back to as high as 17th, McDowell stayed out and finished Stage 1 in 12th position. In an attempt to gain track position, the 34 stayed out during the stage caution which allowed McDowell to restart in the Top-10 and turn the strategy into a 2-stop race. After restarting fifth and competing with several Playoff drivers for position up front, McDowell pitted from the Top-10 and after the field cycled through, the No. 34 finished Stage 2 in 8th position. Throughout the final stage, McDowell had solid pace and a Top-10 car, but when a caution came out with 29 laps to go, it allowed the field to reset and those with fresher tires to pass the 34 in the closing laps after the race resumed. McDowell finished the race in 15th position, his first Top-15 since the Bristol Night Race, where he finished 11th.
Start: 21st
Stage One: 12th
Stage Two: 8th
Race Result: 15th
DRIVER MICHAEL MCDOWELL:
"Tough day for sure. We came into the weekend with some new things setup wise, so we knew we had to try something with our Love's Travel Stops Ford Mustang. We tried a two-stop strategy which seemed to work even with that caution in Stage 2 getting us into the Top-5, but we never got the clean air we want and that last caution in Stage 3 put everyone at an even level with newer tires than us. So, we were just hanging on there at the end, trying not to make a mistake locking up the brakes on the backstretch or cutting curbs."
No. 38 Boozy Jerky Ford Mustang Dark Horse:
Todd Gilliland made his third Roval start on Sunday, qualifying 15th for the 109-lap event. Pitting under green in the remaining laps of Stage 1, Gilliland took four tires and fuel with hopes of picking up spots on pit road and starting closer to the front in Stage 2. Unfortunately, a loose wheel forced No. 38 to pit at the stage-break caution, where he finished 20th. Gilliland bounced back and raced his way to the Top-15. Gilliland pitted under caution for debris, taking four tires and fuel to finish 13th in Stage 2. Staying out for the start of the final stage, Gilliland fought with the handling of his Ford Mustang Dark Horse. Staying out of trouble and pitting under green for tires and fuel, Gilliland crossed the start / finish line in the 19th position. Gilliland was credited with an 18th place finish after the No. 48 was disqualified during post-race inspection.
Start: 15th
Stage One: 20th
Stage Two: 13th
Race Result: 18th
DRIVER TODD GILLILAND:
"It was a pretty average day for us. We had a good plan with short-pitting Stage 1, but it just didn't work out with the loose wheel. We just need to minimize those mistakes and come back stronger at Vegas."
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