Gilliland's Race Ends Early After Hitting the Wall Fighting for Fifth at Texas

Start: 12th (based on qualifying formula)
Finish: 31st

• Stage One: 10th
• Stage Two: 11th
• Stage Three: 31st

• Todd Gilliland started 12th at Texas Motor Speedway on Sunday in the No. 38 Frontline Enterprises Ford F-150. He moved into 10th on lap 18 and told his Front Row Motorsports (FRM) team the truck was tight everywhere. He remained 10th to finish Stage One on lap 32, a few laps early due to a caution flag. He pitted for four tires, fuel and adjustments to free up his F-150. The team noticed a tire rub during the stop and brought him back down pit road a second time to fix it. During that stop NASCAR issued a penalty for too many men over the wall, which sent Gilliland to the tail of the lead-lap trucks.

• When the second stage began on lap 41, Gilliland restarted 24th. He did not stay back there for long and was back up to 10th by lap 50. He said the truck was still mainly tight, but better than it was during the first stage. He was 11th when the second stage came to a close on lap 70. He pitted for four tires, fuel and adjustments gaining two spots on pit road with a fast stop by the FRM team.

• As the final stage began, Gilliland was scored in ninth place. He was up to sixth when a caution came on lap 91. The team used this caution to pit for their final set of sticker tires and top off the fuel to finish the race. He was seventh when the race resumed. Only a few laps later, Gilliland was battling with Ben Rhodes for fifth place when the two trucks made contact, which sent Gilliland hard into the wall. The truck sustained major damage and the team was unable to continue. Gilliland was evaluated and released from the infield care center and credited with a 31st-place finish.

Gilliland on Texas: "We had a fast Frontline Enterprises Ford F-150 today. It felt good racing our way up toward the front. I'm proud of my team and disappointed for everyone who works so hard. It sucks tearing up a good truck. I have to thank everyone at Frontline Enterprises, Ford Performance, Speedco, Black's Tire and everyone who supports me.

"We'll put this behind us and focus on Martinsville Friday night. I won this race last year and would love to be back in Victory Lane there."