The weekend started off with a bit of a scare for the 08 team, as their driver Gray Gaulding was sidelined for both practice sessions on Friday due to health concerns. Thankfully Gaulding was cleared to participate on Saturday morning and would be good to go for the rest of the weekend behind the wheel of the No. 08 Chevy.
Gaulding ran a lap of 30.945 seconds which would put him starting the 200 lap race in the 19th position. The green flag waved and Gaulding began making his way forward. The first caution of the day waved on lap 4 after the engine of Ryan Truex expired. The remainder of the stage went caution free. After 45 laps Gaulding was in the 17th position.
Gaulding started the second stage from the 15th position. On lap 70 the third caution of the day waved after the 22 of Austin Cindric got into the back of Harrison Burton. The contact sent Burton spinning until the 18 car made hard contact with the outside wall. On lap 90 the green and white checkered flag signaled the conclusion of stage two with Gaulding in the 16th position.
The final stage started with the longest green flag run of the day. Gaulding was able to get into a comfortable rhythm and work his way inside the top-15. On lap 146 the fifth caution of the day waved after the 1 of Michael Annett made contact with the wall. With just 16 laps remaining caution waved yet again after a lapped car caused the two leaders to wreck while battling for the lead. After a 5 lap battle to end the race, Gaulding was able to fight his way to a 17th place finish. With just three races remaining in the 2019 season, Gray Gaulding currently sits 14th in the NASCAR Xfinity Series point standings and trails the No. 51 of Jeremy Clements by 3 points for the 13th position.
Gray Gaulding:
“P17! Not a bad day, We’ll take it after having no practice and pretty much no track time this weekend. Just happy to be in the race car. Thanks to the fans, JT Marine, Panini, PURE, Worldwide Safety and everyone that supports our team. We’ll see you for the next one and thanks for all the support guys!”
Bobby Dotter Thoughts on the 08 Team:
“It was definitely an eventful weekend for the 08 team to say the least. Overall, I am pleased with the performance from Gray and 08 guys today. We’ll take a top 20 and get ready for the final three races of the year.”
Ray Black Jr. started off his weekend posting the 17th quickest time in the opening practice session on Friday afternoon. Black was really happy with the handling of his race car, so Crew Chief Jason Miller elected to sit out final practice.
Black would roll off from the 23rd position after posting a time of 31.276 seconds in qualifying. The first stage was relatively uneventful with the exception of a lap 4 caution for the No. 8 car of Ryan Truex. Black was able to advance to the 22nd position after 45 laps.
As stage two got underway, Black’s objective was to be the first car one lap down. On lap 70 caution waved for the 18 car. Black was able to fight his way to the free pass position and would receive the lucky dog. The final 20 laps of the stage went caution free and Black was able to work his way up to the 17th position.
The final stage started with a long green flag run until caution waved on lap 146 to reset the field. Three more cautions would wave in the final stage of the race. Black was able to continually make his way forward despite the late drama that surrounded him. The final caution of the day allowed Black to receive the free pass and come back on the lead lap. After a 5 lap shootout to decide it all, Black was able to battle his way to a 14th place finish. With just three races remaining in the 2019 season, Ray Black Jr. currently sits 16th in the NASCAR Xfinity Series point standings and trails the No. 86 of Brandon Brown by 23 points for the 15th position.
Ray Black Jr:
“Awesome day for our 07 team! We had a great car and kept getting better throughout the race. We will take a top-15 and look to finish out these last three races as strong as possible. Thanks to Isokern Fireplaces & Chimneys for all their support this year!”
Bobby Dotter Thoughts on the 07 Team:
“Very proud of Ray and the 07 team this weekend. This team continues to get better throughout the race and does a great job of putting themselves in position late to capitalize. Awesome effort this weekend in Kansas!”
Looking Ahead:
Both SS Green Light drivers were able to escape the mayheim in Kansas with respectable finishes inside the top twenty. Gray Gaulding and Ray Black Jr. are positioned 14th and 16th in the NASCAR Xfinity Series point standings. With only three races remaining in the 2019 season, the teams will have one final ‘off week’ before returning for the last three races of the season. Coverage of the ‘O’Reilly Auto Parts 300’ from Texas Motor Speedway will begin Saturday November 2nd at 8:30 PM ET on NBCSN.
SS Green Light Racing PR
