No. 34 Love's Travel Stop / Delo Ford Mustang Dark Horse:
Despite starting deep in the pack, Michael McDowell showed why he's a force to be reckoned with on road courses, driving up to 16th-place in four laps from his 27th-place starting position and commanding good pace. Playing the strategy game of a two-stop race, Crew Chief Travis Peterson elected to keep McDowell out on track to garner valuable stage points, finishing Stage 1 in 3rd-position. Shortly after his pit stop, midway in Stage 2, McDowell reported mechanical issues and lack of power steering, going several laps down in the pits to diagnose the issue. Eventually forcing to retire the Love's Travel Stop / Delo Ford Mustang toward the end of Stage 3, finishing 39th position. McDowell officially was promoted to 38th after car No. 51 failed post-race inspection and was disqualified.
Start: 27th
Stage One: 3rd
Stage Two: 38th
Race Result: 38th
DRIVER MICHAEL MCDOWELL:
“Disappointing for sure, we came into this weekend with high hopes for a good finish, but unfortunately mechanical issues set us back. Happy we got stage points and had a chance to race up front. Everyone at Front Row Motorsports has worked hard all season, and I know we will learn from this and bounce back going forward."
No. 38 Ruedebusch Development & Construction Ford Mustang Dark Horse:
Todd Gilliland qualified 26th in the Ruedebusch Development & Construction Ford Mustang Dark Horse. Crew Chief Ryan Bergenty played the strategy game and called for tires and fuel for Gilliland's race car with four laps to go in Stage One. Restarting within the top-10, Gilliland raced his way to the front and finished 4th in Stage 2. Gilliland ultimately finished 27th after a cycle of pit stops and no race cautions to give him the chance to get upfront.
Start: 26th
Stage One: 25th
Stage Two: 4th
Race Result: 27th
DRIVER TODD GILLILAND:
"I put us in a bad spot qualifying in the back, but Ryan (Bergenty) called a good race and got us some stage points. I wish the results were different, but with no cautions, I didn't get the opportunity to get back up to the front. We'll rebound at Richmond."