Peters wraps up 2010 by earning sixth place in the Camping World Truck Series driver points standings. His achievements will be honored at the banquet on Monday night.
HOMESTEAD, FL. (Nov 19)- As the 2010 season drew to a close, Timothy Peters was determined to get one last solid finish to end the year on a high note. Arriving in Florida on Thursday afternoon, the team went to work on the #17 to give Peters a competitive truck for the race. He qualified 15th for the Ford 200. When the race started on Friday night, hopes were high for a finish that reflected the solid year the Red Horse Racing team had experienced. Winning the season opener at Daytona, Peters wanted to “book-end” his season with another win in the last event. Despite the efforts, the #17 Toyota Tundra was a hand full all night. Peters battled a tight condition that persisted for most of the 134-lap event. Halfway through the race, a right front flat caused the #17 to make contact with the wall. Peters was able to rally back to a 17th place finish and end the year with his head held high.
Peters hit the track for the first time during practice on Thursday evening. Fourth quick overall the team felt they had their truck in good shape for the race. Rain showers moved into the area and postponed the final practice until Friday morning. After the final session, Peters and the #17 team felt confident in their Toyota Tundra for the season finale event under the lights at Homestead-Miami Speedway.
When the green flag dropped, Peters knew he had only one more opportunity in 2010 to get back to Victory Lane. With his eye on the prize, he went to work, moving up to the 11th spot by lap four. He radioed the team that his Tundra was tight getting into turn one and in the center of turns three and four.
The first caution came out on lap 30 and crew chief Jeff Hensley brought his driver to pit road.
Picking up four fresh tires, fuel, track bar and air pressure adjustments, Hensley promised Peters he was making a big swing at fixing the tight condition.
Peters restarted 12th on lap 35 and raced his way back to the 11th spot on lap 60. Another caution on lap 74 prompted the team to bring Peters back to pit road. Not seeing enough improvement in the truck, Hensley called for another round of changes. Peters picked up four fresh tires, fuel and air pressure adjustments. He lined up ninth for the restart.
Taking the green again on lap 80, Peters was trying to work his way further into the top-10. On lap 88, the right front tire of the #17 went flat and, at the speeds Peters was running, caused him to slide up the race track and into the outside wall. The contact wasn’t too severe but Peters came to pit road for fresh tires. The team changed just right side tires and repaired the right front damage as best as they could on pit road.
Peters lined up 23rd for the restart on lap 93. Knowing his truck was faster than where it was running, he was determined to get back the spots he had lost. Peters moved into the 21st position just before another caution waved on lap 103. Peters headed back to pit road for fresh left side tires on lap 105. The team also made a track bar adjustment to help the condition of the truck. He restarted 18th on lap 110. With time running out and only 24 laps remaining, Peters refused to give up. He climbed to the 16th spot on lap 111, just as another caution came out. Debris on the race track brought out the red flag so clean-up crews could make sure the track was clear.
Racing resumed on lap 114 and Peters restarted from the 16th spot. He clawed his way to 12th by lap 118. Another late caution came out on lap 126 setting up another restart. With only four laps remaining, Peters restarted 11th. The tire combination on the truck was making it very loose late in the race and Peters was really struggling to drive it. In the final laps he slipped back to the 17th spot before the checkered flag fell. Disappointed with the results of the night, Peters was happy to reflect on the great 2010 season he had experienced. With one win, two poles, 16 top-10 and five top-five finishes, it was a great year for the #17 Red Horse Racing team.
“It’s kind of sad coming to the last race of the year,” Peters said. “This has been an awesome season. Winning Daytona right out of the gate and picking up two poles, it really has been a great year. We were lucky enough to capture five top-five and 16 top-10 finishes. Obviously I wish we could get the points back that we lost to mechanical failures but that’s just how it goes sometimes. It doesn’t take away from the success we had this year. Now we need to carry the momentum we built this season into next year.”
