Indianapolis, IN (July 28, 2012)-Eric McClure and the No. 14 Hefty®/Reynolds Wrap® Racing™ team headed to the iconic Indianapolis Motor Speedway for the inaugural running of the Indy 250. McClure started Saturday’s race from the 34th position and finished the 100-lap event as follows:
24th- Eric McClure, No. 14 Hefty®/Reynolds Wrap® Toyota Camry
When the initial green flag fell for the inaugural Nationwide Series race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, McClure quickly worked his way through the field, despite battling a car that was loose on entry. By lap three, the Virginia driver was scored in the 31st position.
A competition caution on lap 15 allowed McClure to visit pit road for four tires with an air-pressure adjustment, fuel, and a track-bar adjustment. Despite stalling the car on exit, McClure was still able to maintain the 31st position when the race resumed on lap 21.
Slipping to the 34th position on the restart, McClure quickly regained the positions lost and remained there until advancing to the 24th position when green flag pit stops began on lap 36.
Two laps later the event’s second caution flag waved for a two-car accident and allowed McClure to bring his Hefty®/Reynolds Wrap® Toyota to pit road for four tires and fuel. When the race resumed on lap 47, McClure slipped four positions to 28th, but was able to regain two positions by the time the event’s third caution flag waved on lap 62.
Battling a car that was now tight in the center of the turns, McClure brought his car to pit road for four scuffed tires and fuel. After quick work by the Hefty®/Reynolds Wrap® Racing™ team, McClure was able to restart the event in the 24th position.
Four laps later, the 33-year-old driver informed the crew that both his water and oil temperatures were extremely high. Rather than risking an engine failure, crew chief Wes Ward called McClure to pit road to clean the front grille as grass had clogged the opening. Just as McClure exited the pits, the yellow flag waved and allowed him to receive the “lucky dog” award placing him back on the lead lap in the 27th position.
By the time the event’s final caution flag waved on lap 78, McClure had worked his way up to the 25th position before slipping to the 28th position when the race resumed on 82.
In the closing laps, McClure was able to make a nice recovery and advance four positions to finish the Indy 250 in the 24th position.
As a result, TriStar Motorsports was able to maintain its position in the NASCAR points’ standings.
Eric McClure Quotes:
“It was an okay day. Had a bad break with water temperature, but a good break to get the lap back. I made a mistake or two today that cost us a spot or two late, but we don’t have the luxury to tear up cars. I really need to be better, more aggressive, particularly on restarts. But it was a privilege to race here.”
