Todd Gilliland and the Georgia Peanuts team qualified 17th for Sunday’s event and found himself in the top-10 throughout the the majority of Stage 1. Pitting within the fuel window, Gilliland was shuffled back to 18th as the stage ended under caution.
On fresh rubber and topped off on fuel, Gilliland gained spots on pit road to start Stage 2 within the top-10. Gilliland worked with teammates Michael McDowell and Riley Herbst to stay up front and compete for stage points. Pitting before the stage end, Gilliland was again shuffled back to 18th where he finished Stage 2.
Coming to pit road for four tires and fuel, Gilliland was in for a wild final stage as drivers raced three and four-wide trying to get to the front. Topping off on fuel, Gilliland managed to stay out of the wrecks before getting caught up in a wreck as he crossed the line in 12th.
Qualifying behind his teammate Michael McDowell and the No. 34 Love's RV Stops/PEAK team rolled off 18th. McDowell wasted no time making his way into the top-10. On a similar pit strategy as Gilliland’s, McDowell pitted for just fuel. He finished Stage 1 22nd
Pitting during the stage break caution for tires and fuel, McDowell worked with Todd Gilliland and Riley Herbst to make their way to the front of the field, even leading laps. McDowell came to pit road for fuel only, putting him at the tail of the field. McDowell got back up to speed and finished Stage 2 14th.
Taking four tires and fuel to start the final stage, McDowell fought hard alongside Gilliland and Herbst to get up to speed and compete within the top-25. McDowell crossed the start/finish line 21st
Todd Gilliland, Driver No. 38 Georgia Peanuts Ford Mustang:
“What a wild race. I thought for sure we were going to get caught up in one of those early wrecks. Super proud of this Georgia Peanuts team for all their work and giving me a car I saw us winning in.”
Michael McDowell, Driver No. 34 Love’s RV Stops/Peak Ford Mustang:
"The fall Talladega race is always a crazy one. Glad we were able to survive and miss all the wrecks. Not exactly the finish we wanted but you never know what is going to happen here. I’m just glad this Love’s RV Stops Ford Mustang is going home in one piece.”
“It was great having all the Love’s folks here. If was a big weekend for them and I’m proud to have been a part of it.”
The team next races Sunday at the Charlotte Motor Speedway ROVAL. The race is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. ET on NBC.