As the regular season comes closing in, the NASCAR Cup Series took their annual trip to the Watkins Glen (N.Y.) International road course.
Qualifying 25th, Todd Gilliland and the No. 38 Serial 1 Premium E-Bikes team were going to have to rely on pit strategy to gain spots. Gilliland and team chipped away at the competition. With two laps left in Stage 1, the team decided to take tires and fuel. The team did not pit again until Lap 53. The caution flew on Lap 57 giving Gilliland the chance to gain spots. He restarted 12th and finished 11th for his ninth top-15 finish of the season.
After a strong practice and qualifying session, Michael McDowell and the No. 34 Love’s Travel Stops Ford Mustang started third. McDowell wasted no time picking up where he left off, and took the lead from pole-sitter Denny Hamlin early. McDowell dominated Stage 1, taking the stage win. Pitting on Lap 22, McDowell and the Love’s Travel Stops team were penalized and forced to serve a pass-through after driving through too many pit stalls. McDowell finished 11th in Stage Two. Having to serve another pass-through for a pit road penalty, McDowell battled through the adversity before an electrical issue took the No. 34 Love’s Travel Stops Ford Mustang out of commission. McDowell was credited with a 36th place finish after retiring the race running ninth.
Todd Gilliland, Driver No. 38 Serial 1 Premium E-Bikes Ford Mustang:
“We needed a clean, solid day and we had one. I’m really proud of this Serial 1 team. We got lucky with that caution but our strategy played out just the way we wanted it to. Onto Daytona!”
Michael McDowell, Driver No. 34 Love's Travel Stops Ford Mustang:
“It wasn’t a great day for us execution-wise, but I’m proud of the effort and the stage win. We had a fast Love’s Travel Stops Ford Mustang and we definitely showed it today. We’ll just have to regroup and execute at Daytona.”
The team next races Saturday under the lights at the Daytona International Speedway.. The race is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. ET on NBC.