The NASCAR Xfinity Series ended their first round of the playoffs at the Monster Mile with the running of the Bar Harbor 200. After a battery cable issue in the Spring, Boyd was determined for redemption at Dover International Speedway.
The day started off with a heavy mist throughout the morning and early afternoon. The mist finally cleared and Boyd qualified in the 31st position. The green flag waved and 40 cars roared to life at the Monster Mile. The first stage was very clean and the leaders set a torrid pace in the opening laps. Spotter Chris Monez directed Boyd through traffic as Boyd fought an ill-handling Grunt Style Chevy. Christopher Bell claimed the stage one victory with Boyd in the 31st position. Boyd complained he was just way too tight and needed to be freed up so he could rotate the center of the corner better. The Grunt Style Gladiators serviced Boyd with four fresh tires, fuel, and an air pressure adjustment.
Stage two began and it was a very similar look to the first stage. The leaders continued with their blistering pace and Boyd seemed to be even tighter on this run. The entire second stage went caution free as well. Daniel Hemric scored the stage two victory with Boyd managing to pick up a few spots to P29. Boyd radioed and said the nose was pushing so bad he felt like he had to almost stop in the corner just to get the car to rotate. The Grunt Style Gladiators went to work once again to try and help Boyd.
The green flag was displayed to begin the final stage. Boyd radioed in immediately and said he thought he had a flat tire. Reluctantly, Boyd pulled his flat black and camouflage Grunt Style Chevy down pit road to be serviced under green flag conditions. Once he was sent back on track, Boyd ran his fastest laps of the day around lap 100. Boyd said the car felt the best it had all day until on lap 118, Boyd radioed in and said something broke in the rear. After further insight behind the wall, it was determined Boyd had a broken the track bar mount on the truck arm. He was done for the day and would finish in the 32nd position. Miles the Monster claimed yet another victim in Spencer Boyd.
After the incident Boyd reflected, “Miles was not nice to us today. This track is absolutely relentless on equipment. We were not the only ones that had mechanical issues today, but I just hate we were one of the victims. There’s no one to blame, unfortunately it’s just a product of racing. There will be days in racing where uncontrollable circumstances will determine the outcome and today was unfortunately one of those days. I’m proud of all the hard work my SS Greenlight Racing team puts into my cars every week. We’ll just focus on finishing these last four races out as strong as we possibly can.”
After a 32nd place finish at the Monster Mile, Boyd will remain 25th in driver standings. The NASCAR Xfinity Series will enjoy a much deserved off weekend before heading to Kansas Speedway for round two of the playoffs. Race coverage of the Kansas Lottery 300 will begin 3:00 PM ET Saturday October 20th on NBC.
Spencer Boyd Racing PR/Spencer Boyd Racing Photo
