Race 28 of 33: Focused Health 302 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway
Track Specs: 1.500 mile paved track
Race Winner: Corey Day
Kvapil’s finish: P2
Caruth’s finish: P11
Smith’s finish: P15
Allgaier’s finish: P34
Carson Kvapil
Carson Kvapil battled hard through the final 11 laps of the Focused Health 302 to bring home a second-place finish that would also bump him up to second place in The Chase standings, just 19 points behind the leader. After qualifying ninth for his fourth NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series start in “Sin City” Kvapil managed the handling of his Bass Pro Shops Chevrolet throughout the first 45 laps finishing just outside the top-10 in 12th. After gaining one spot on pit road, the JR Motorsports driver lined up in 11th to start the second stage. By narrowly avoiding an on-track incident mid way through the stage, Kvapil was able to break into the top-five taking the second green-and-white checkered flag in fourth. Thanks to another quick stop by the pit crew, Kvapil gained two more spots off pit road, which would line him up for the final stage on the front row. Kvapil would maintain his position in the top-four throughout the remaining 111 laps where he chased down the leader and ended the hard-fought battle in the runner up position.
“This No. 1 Bass Pro Shops team gave me a fast car and while I wish we could have parked it in Victory Lane it felt great to battle for the lead. I haven’t had a lot of confidence on mile and a half tracks in the past, but this is great momentum heading into Charlotte next week. There are still a lot of races left in the chase and we are going to stay focused and keep up the intensity every week.”
Rajah Caruth
Rajah Caruth and the No. 88 HendrickCars.com team earned an 11th-place finish Saturday at Las Vegas Motor Speedway after overcoming a penalty prior to the final stage. Starting sixth, Caruth quickly worked his way toward the front, moving into third by lap 15 and second by lap 20. He remained inside the top three throughout the opening stage and crossed the line third, reporting that he needed additional rear grip on entry and exit while also battling a tight condition. The team made adjustments during the stage break, and a strong pit stop gained Caruth one position to begin Stage Two from second. Caruth continued to run among the leaders throughout the second stage and earned another third-place stage finish. During the ensuing pit stop, however, the No. 88 was assessed an uncontrolled tire penalty, dropping Caruth to 23rd for the start of the final stage. He immediately began working his way back through the field, advancing to 19th by lap 100 and 14th by lap 112. Following a green-flag pit stop for four tires, fuel and an adjustment on lap 142, Caruth cycled back into 11th and eventually climbed into the top 10 on lap 162. He continued battling around the top 10 over the closing laps before taking the checkered flag in 11th.
“We had a really strong HendrickCars.com Chevrolet today and were able to run inside the top three for most of the first two stages. The penalty before the final stage put us in a tough spot, but I’m proud of everyone for continuing to fight and getting back toward the front. Thanks to Mr. H, Ms. Linda, Dale, Kelley and LW and everyone at JR Motorsports for another great effort.
Sammy Smith
Sammy Smith, driver of the No. 8 O’Reilly Auto Parts Chevrolet raced in the desert this Saturday evening at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Smith qualified 23rd for the Focused Health 302, finished 15th after 201 laps, and now sits eighth in the point standings. The JR Motorsports driver started 23rd in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series race and felt too free throughout the first stage but was able to gain a few positions to finish 18th after the initial 45 laps. Smith brought his No. 8 Chevrolet down pit road at the stage end and crew chief, Cory Shea called for fresh tires, fuel, and adjustments to air pressure and wedge. The pit crew made quick work and gained spots off pit road, putting Smith in 15th to start Stage Two. Smith made it as high as 12th and crossed the green-white-checkers in 13th on lap 90 to close out the second stage. He reported the car trending tight, especially when in dirty air so Shea called for another fresh set of tires, fuel and an adjustment to better the handling as the sun was setting over the desert. The pit crew had another stellar stop, gaining spots off pit road to set Smith up to restart eighth for the final stage. The NOAPS field took the green on lap 98 for the final stretch with Smith in eighth and despite reporting a slight vibration, defended his track position for 20 laps before the vibration increased and affected car handling. Smith made his green-flag pit stop on lap 141 from 11th. Smith rejoined the field in 25th and made his way back to 15th by lap 149, where he finished out the 201-lap event. Smith currently sits eighth, 94 points from the leader in The Chase point standings.
“It was a hard-fought race today, I thought we were getting ahead of it there in the final stage until that vibration kicked in. I appreciate the support from O’Reilly Auto Parts this weekend. We’ll regroup and prep for our home race in Charlotte next week.”
Justin Allgaier
Justin Allgaier, driver of the No. 7 BRANDT Professional Agriculture Chevrolet, battled hard during the opening stage of Saturday evening’s NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series event at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, running inside the top 10 throughout the 45- lap stint and earning an extremely valuable stage point when the green-and-white checkered flag was displayed. However, while fighting to crack the top five on the start of Stage Two, Allgaier was collected in a multi-car incident that badly damaged all four corners of his JR Motorsports Chevrolet. Through sheer will and determination, the BRANDT team went to work and, utilizing a never-give-up attitude, made the necessary repairs over the following 63 laps to get Allgaier back on track to gain one crucial position and one additional point. As a result, Allgaier leaves Las Vegas just 31 points behind the lead in The Chase standings as the series heads to Charlotte Motor Speedway next weekend.
“We just had nowhere to go there. I hate it for everyone on this BRANDT Professional Agriculture team. We had a good car but didn’t get a chance to race it out there at the end. But I can’t say enough for how proud I am of everyone in this group. To be able to get this car back out on the track, even for just a lap to gain a spot, shows how this team will never give up and that we will keep fighting no matter what happens. Now it’s on to Charlotte. We are ready.”