Friday night at the Kansas Speedway showcased the determination and tenacity of Daniel Dye, driver of the No. 43 NAPA Nightvision Chevrolet, in the final race of the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series (NCTS) Round of 10 playoffs. The 1.5-mile Kansas City, Kan., track hosted the playoff cutoff, where 10 drivers were trimmed to eight. Though Dye’s playoff journey ended, his drive and persistence were evident as he finished 27th in the 34-truck field.
With a fresh haircut and a fresh outlook, Dye started the race from 10th-place after posting a qualifying lap of 31.125 seconds (173.494 mph), ready to make a push for playoff advancement under the lights at Kansas Speedway. However, the night quickly turned into a battle of adversity. In the opening stage, Dye made contact with the outside wall twice, leading to multiple unscheduled pit stops. By Lap 14, he was a lap down and back on pit road with a flat right-front tire, presenting early challenges for the Blake Bainbridge-led team.
However, Dye and his team refused to give up. Crew chief Blake Bainbridge remained positive, telling Dye, “Make it to the stage break, and we’ll fix you up.” The team’s perseverance shone through as they battled back from adversity. Dye fought to gain positions, pitting on Lap 68 for a wedge adjustment and further checks on a potential tire rub. By Lap 117, Dye returned to pit road for two fresh Goodyear tires and fuel under green-flag conditions.
Though the race didn’t deliver the result the team had hoped for, Dye’s finish showcased the team’s resilience and unwavering dedication. He ended the night ninth in points, just missing the playoff cut, but his season has been a testament to hard work and determination.
Daniel Dye Quote:
““Just not meant to be tonight. Hard fight all season. Thanks to all our partners and supporters, NAPA Nightvision, Champion Container, Chevrolet. We have four more chances to get a win this season and that’s what we’ll try to do.”
McAnally Hilgemann Racing PR
