Gilliland Strong Showing Results in 16th
The NASCAR Cup Series took their second trip to the Atlanta Motor Speedway for some night racing.
After qualifying ninth, Todd Gilliland and the No. 38 Georgia Peanuts team were on a mission at the 1.5-mile superspeedway-style track. Gilliland held strong in Stage 1, competing in the top-15 throughout the stage. He finished Stage 1 in 16th. Starting Stage 2 in 15th, Gilliland worked with manufacturer teammates to work their way to the top-15. Taking fuel only under caution, Gilliland finished Stage 2 18th. With rain on the horizon, Gilliland and company held strong before NASCAR called the race with 75 laps to go. Gilliland finished 16th.
Qualifying 20th, Michael McDowell and the No. 34 Fr8Auctions.com team got to work early. Quickly moving his way from the back, McDowell found Gilliland and the pair teamed up to make their way to the front. McDowell finished Stage 1 in eighth. Coming to pit road to start Stage 2 on fresh tires and fuel, McDowell made contact with fellow competitor Martin Truex Jr. exiting his pit stall. McDowell received the proper repairs and started Stage 2 in 36th. McDowell aggressively drove back to the top-10 and finished that stage in eighth. With weather rolling in, crew chief Travis Peterson made the call to stay out in hopes of racing for the win. McDowell briefly grabbed the lead, but couldn't clear to the take control of the race. After the yellow flew for an incident between the 41 and 23, NASCAR decided to call the race for rain. McDowell and the No. 34 Fr8Auctions.com Ford finished fourth after the bold call on pit road.
McDowell is now 16th and inside the playoff cut line.
Todd Gilliland, Driver No. 38 Georgia Peanuts Ford Mustang:
"We had such a fast Georgia Peanuts Ford Mustang. I wish the weather would’ve held off cause that was a top-10 car for sure. But that’s racing, you never know what’s going to happen.
"We showed speed early on with qualifying and held our own all night. I’m super proud of this team, but disappointed in the finish."
Michael McDowell, Driver No. 34 Fr8Auctions.com Ford Mustang:
"What a wild race. Our Fr8 Auctions Ford Mustang was really fast. We were able to get to the front early on there and get some stage points. Even after that little bit of damage we took on pit road, we were still able to maximize what we could. Travis (Peterson) did a great job calling the race and getting us track position when we needed it before the rain came.
We were pretty close to winning the race. I’m a little bit disappointed that we couldn’t hold those guys off for a couple more laps but given the situation with the rain, it wasn't a total lose.”
The team next races Sunday at the New Hampshire Motor Speedway. The Crayon 301 is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. ET on the USA Network.