SS GreenLight Battles Tough Day in Texas

Race 6 of 33: My Bariatric Solutions 300 at Texas Motor Speedway
Track Details: 1.5-mile quad-oval / 200 laps
No. 08: Gray Gaulding Result: 21st
No. 07: Ray Black Jr. Result: 35th

Team 08 PURE Chevrolet Camaro: 

After a week off the NASCAR Xfinity Series were back in action at Texas Motor Speedway. Gray Gaudling qualified his No. 08 PURE Chevrolet in the 20th position; however, he was forced to drop to the rear due to unapproved adjustments.

The green flag dropped and Gaulding began picking his way up through the field. On lap 21 Gaulding radioed to crew chief Patrick Donahue that he was experiencing a really bad chatter in the right front. At the end of the first stage the 08 team found themselves in the 27th position.

Crew Chief Patrick Donahue called for whole sale changes to help his young driver. Despite several adjustments, Gaulding still battled an extremely ill-handling race car. At the end of the second stage Gaulding worked his way up to the 22nd position. Gaulding continued to experience a bad vibration throughout the remainder of the final stage. It was a broken splitter pan that caused the vibration. Despite the struggles the 08 team never gave up and managed to bring home the 08 PURE Chevy Camaro in the 21st position.

Gray Gaulding: 

“We had an eventful weekend in Texas with our PURE Chevy. We fought a bad vibration in final practice and tried many changes to find the problem, but didn’t find it until the race. Our splitter pan became loose and caused the car to drive with a terrible vibration every time I turned the wheel. It didn’t allow the car to get any downforce in the corner and it caused us to lose horsepower down the straightaway. But all in all we never gave up and did the best we could to limp it to the finish and salvage a decent finish. Thanks to PURE and all our guests for their support. We’re looking forward to showing what we’re made of on my favorite track Bristol next week.” 

Bobby Dotter Thoughts on the 08 Team:

“The 08 team struggled with a vibration on their car throughout the weekend, but I was proud of the resiliency that both Gray and Patrick showed. They battled a broken splitter pan, but still managed to keep the fenders on it and salvage a decent finish.”  

Team 07 Isokern Fireplaces & Chimneys Chevrolet Camaro: 

After a week off from racing action the 07 team were ready to get back to the race track. Ray Black Jr. experienced some mechanical issues in practice, but felt they had good speed for the race. Ray Black Jr. would roll off from the 25th position for the My Bariatric Solutions 300 at Texas Motor Speedway.

Ray Black Jr. immediately started moving up the running order when the green flag dropped. Black said his car was pretty close, but just maybe needed an air pressure adjustment. After stage one was complete, Black was in the 20th position.

Crew Chief Jason Miller made a slight air pressure adjustment and focused on maintaining their good track position. The goal for the 07 team was to battle for the free pass. On lap 57 caution waved for a multi-car incident and Black received the lucky dog. The 07 Isokern Fireplaces & Chimneys team worked their way to as high as 18th until on lap 77 there were reports of smoke coming out of the 07 car. On lap 79 a broken truck arm track bar caused the left rear tire to go down and ended the 07 team’s promising run prematurely. It was the team’s first DNF of the season as they would finish the day in the 35th position.

Ray Black Jr: 

“What a surreal weekend. We had what I felt was our fastest car so far this season. Jason did a great job making adjustments to the car to receive the free pass and get back on the lead lap. I really felt we had a top fifteen car. It’s very unfortunate we had the same bracket break in the same spot two times this weekend. In practice I was able to save it coming off four, but going into one during the race, we were not as lucky. I felt terrible for the team, but as all race teams do, we will rebound and come out stronger next week.” 

Bobby Dotter Thoughts on the 07 Team: 

“The 07 battled through a lot this weekend. I was proud of the speed they displayed, but it’s very unfortunate our day ended up on the hook. Unfortunately there’s not much you can do when it comes to mechanical issues. We will make sure to figure out exactly what caused the bracket to break so it will not happen again.”   

Looking Ahead: 

SS Green Light Racing drivers Gray Gaulding and Ray Black Jr. sit 15th and 19th respectively in the NASCAR Xfinity Series points standings after the sixth race of the season. With a tough weekend in Texas in the rear view, the team will shift it’s focus on the World’s Fastest Half Mile. Coverage of the Alsco 300 from Bristol Motor Speedway will begin Saturday April 6th at 1:00 PM ET on FS1.