After testing NASCAR’s new Car of Tomorrow at Bristol Motor Speedway and Darlington (S. C.) Raceway, Dave Blaney and the Caterpillar Racing team returned to Bristol for the competitive debut of the new car. Blaney and the team endured a rigorous technical inspection Thursday, then qualified the No. 22 machine in the seventh spot for Sunday’s race. Though the car started off strong, an ill-handing racecar put Blaney several laps behind the leader midway through the race. Adjustments made to the car improved the handling, and Blaney took the checkered flag in the 23rd spot.
Blaney was the 21st of 49 competitors to qualify Friday afternoon. He posted quick speeds in the practice session earlier in the day and backed up that performance with the seventh fastest speed (124.768 mph) around the. 533-mile oval. It was the No. 22 team’s best starting spot of the season. Blaney took the green flag for the start of the Sunday afternoon’s event and maintained the seventh spot until a pit stop under caution on lap 51.
Because Blaney reported the car’s handling as tight in the center and loose off the corners, crew chief Kevin Hamlin called for a left rear jackbolt adjustment in addition to four tires and fuel. Blaney restarted 13th because several cars opted not to pit.
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