Gray Gaulding and his No. 08 Panini team started off the day from the 19th position at Road America. With the race track being four miles long the first two stages were only ten laps each. Gaulding quickly made his way forward in the opening stage. Just before the end of the first stage the 7 car of Justin Allgaier lost a left front tire and got trapped in the gravel pit, which brought out the first caution of the day. The caution also marked the conclusion of the first stage with Gaulding in the 12th position.
Crew Chief Patrick Donahue called Gaulding to the pits for four tires and fuel during the stage break. The pit strategy allowed Gaulding to stay on track for the entire second stage. After restarting in the 19th position, Gaulding found himself in the 7th position at the conclusion of stage two, collecting four valuable stage points.
Gaulding brought his No. 08 Chevy to pit road for service during the final stage break and was ready to go for the third and final stage. Gaulding started the final stage from the 16th position, but it did not take long for him to start moving forward. After just a handful of green flag laps into the run, Gaulding flexed his muscles, driving up to the 11th position. On lap 32 the 19 car brought out the third caution of the day. Gaulding pitted for what was the last planned stop of the day and restarted from the 16th position with 11 laps remaining. With only 4 laps remaining Gaulding’s brake pedal went to the floor and he went for a wild ride through the gravel pit. It was a broken brake line that caused Gaulding to go flying off course. The team was able to limp around to a 29th place finish. It was the team’s worst finish since the season opener at Daytona in February.
Gray Gaulding:
“I thought we had a good run going running inside the top-15 until my left front brake line busted causing my brake pedal to go straight to the floor and pretty much ruined our day. Hate that we didn’t get the result we deserved. It was a good effort though and I learned a ton. Thanks to Panini and PURE for sticking behind me and this SS Green Light Racing team. We’ll get back on the ovals next week at Darlington Raceway next week and hope to have a solid run.”
Bobby Dotter Thoughts on the 08 Team:
““Gray continued to show what kind of speed that 08 car is capable of. Unfortunately, we broke a brake line with 4 laps to go, which ruined our day. I’m confident the team will bounce back next week in Darlington.”
Ray Black Jr. came into Road America this weekend after a strong 15th place finish last weekend at Bristol Motor Speedway. The 07 team had a little work cut out for them after qualifying in the 29th position. Black quickly made his way forward in the opening stage. At the end of stage one, Black had advanced ten positions to the 19th position.
Crew Chief Jason Miller called his driver in for service during the stage break. Like his teammate, the 07 also stayed on track the entirety of the second stage. After a caution- free stage, Black found himself in the 15th position after two stages.
Miller once again called his driver to the pits during the stage break, in preparation for the twenty-five lap final stage. After charging through the field, Black would be forced to repeat his performance as he would restart from the 26th position for the final stage. With only 14 laps remaining in the race, Black was able to advance eleven positions to the 15th position before the 19 car brought out the third caution of the day. Miller made the call to stay on the race track during the caution, which put Black restarting in the 12th position. The final caution of the day waved with only 4 laps remaining. Black was able to avoid all the late carnage and power through to a 14th place finish.
Ray Black Jr:
“Really proud of our team today! We got better all day and were able to capitalize at the end. On to Darlington!”
Bobby Dotter Thoughts on the 07 Team:
“”Ray and the 07 team drove a great race today at Road America. They were able to improve throughout the day and Ray was able to bring it home in 14th. Really solid day for this team.”
Looking Ahead:
SS Green Light Racing drivers Gray Gaulding and Ray Black Jr. remain 13th and 16th respectively in the NASCAR Xfinity Series points standings. The Xfinity Series will get prepared for throwback weekend at Darlington Raceway. Coverage Sport Clips Haircuts VFW 200 from Darlington Raceway will begin Saturday August 31st at 4:00 PM ET on NBC.
SS Greenlight Racing PR
