Phillip McGilton’s first trip to Salem Speedway will be one he won’t soon forget. The Brewco Motorsports driver racked in a career best qualifying effort on Saturday before pulling together a personal best finish in the fourth ARCA RE/MAX Series event of the season Sunday afternoon.
The No. 47 SIPerformance Ford Fusion unloaded strong off the hauler and it showed during Saturday’s practice. McGilton turned in the ninth fastest time overall in the only practice session of the weekend and exceeded his practice time to post a sixth place qualifying effort.
Knowing he had a strong Brewco Motorsports prepared Ford Fusion, McGilton and his team were looking forward to the first of two races at the intimidating half-mile short track this season.
At the start of the event, McGilton maintained patience. The Marion, Illinois native he needed to take him time working through the diverse field, keeping his fenders on his SIPerformance machine.
When the first caution flag waived, McGilton sat sixth in the midst of an intense battle with Billy Venturini. On the restart, McGilton held his ground and maintained a known presence inside the top-10.
While unable to fight for the lead at the time of the first and only round of pit stops, the Brewco Motorsports team stepped up and bolted four new Hoosier tires, added Sunoco Racing fuel before sending the leading Rookie-of-the-Year candidate back into competition locking the fifth position.
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