After coming off a solid 14th place finish in Iowa a few weeks ago, Gray Gaulding and his No. 08 team were excited to continue their push for the playoffs this weekend at Chicagoland Speedway. Gaulding would roll off from the 17th position for the Camping World 300 in Chicago.
Two cautions were displayed during the opening stage of the race. Gaulding radioed to Crew Chief Patrick Donahue that the car was sliding the nose especially across the bumps and he was plowing tight off the corner. The 08 finished the first stage in the 21st position.
Donahue called for adjustments to help loosen up the 08 Camaro for the second stage. A fast pit stop placed Gaulding 17th for the start of stage two. On lap 78 caution flew for the 39 car spinning. Donahue called Gaulding to the pits and put four fresh tires on the 08 Camaro. Gaulding was able to take advantage of the fresh tires and drove to the 13th position by the end of the second stage.
Gaulding restarted the final stage from the 5th position after Donahue’s strategy played out. Caution waved once again on lap 112 for the 39 car spinning. The 08 pitted and restarted from the 15th position. On lap 172 caution waved in the middle of green flag pit stops after the 15 car made contact with the wall. Gaulding was scored 16th and was forced to take a wave around to remain on the lead lap. After a 20 lap shootout Gaulding was 15th across the line, but would officially advance to 14th after the 20 car failed post race inspection. The 14th place result was the team’s sixth top 15 finish of the year. Gaulding remains the first car out of playoff contention and trails Ryan Sieg by 98 points heading into Daytona.
Gray Gaulding:
“It was a great effort by all my guys. Thank you to everyone from WorldWide Consulting and ABA. It’s really cool to have people up here support us. My crew did a great job with fast pit stops. I think we maximized our day today. We never gave up and made some good calls. It was a hot one, but I’m all good.”
Bobby Dotter Thoughts on the 08 Team:
“It was another solid points day for the 08 team. Gray drove a great race and the team did a great job improving the car throughout the day. It’s special to get two solid finishes in Chicago for sure.”
Team 07 Isokern Fireplaces & Chimneys Chevrolet Camaro:
After a very solid 16th place finish at Iowa a few weeks ago, Ray Black Jr. and his 07 team were determined to continue their momentum into Chicago. Ray Black Jr. would roll off from the 25th position for the Camping World 300 at Chicagoland Speedway.
Black struggled with the handling of his car throughout the first stage. The team remained in the 25th position and went a lap down, narrowly missing the lucky dog at the end of the first stage. Black started out plowing tight and ended the stage in the 25th position a little too loose.
Crew Chief Jason Miller went to work adjusting the 07 to his driver’s liking and assured him they would be better for the second stage. The 07 restarted from the 28th position. On lap 78 Ray Black Jr and his 07 team were the beneficiaries of the lucky dog when caution waved. At the conclusion of stage two, Black was in the 23rd position and back on the lead lap.
After a few more adjustments and a fast pit stop, Ray Black Jr. found himself starting the final stage from the 19th position. With 28 laps remaining in the race, the 07 team elected to take a wave around to gain a lap back after the 15 car brought out the caution flag. After a 20 lap shootout Ray Black Jr. was 21st across the line, but would officially advance to the 20th position after the 20 car failed post race inspection. The 20th place result was the team’s eighth top 20 finish of the year.
Ray Black Jr:
“It was a solid day. We caught some good breaks and were able to capitalize. We’ve been getting our cars in a really good place lately and I’m excited for Daytona.”
Bobby Dotter Thoughts on the 07 Team:
“The 07 team did a great job today. The team continually adjusted on the car all day and Ray drove a smart race. We will take a top 20 and start focusing on Daytona.”
Looking Ahead:
After another solid weekend, SS Green Light Racing drivers Gray Gaulding and Ray Black Jr. sit 13th and 17th respectively in the NASCAR Xfinity Series points standings. Chicagoland Speedway this weekend marked the first race of 15 races in a row for the Xfinity Series. The attention will now shift to Daytona. Coverage of the Circle K Firecracker 250 from Daytona International Speedway will begin Friday July 5th at 7:30 PM ET on NBCSN.
SS Greenlight Racing PR
