HUNTERSVILLE, N.C. (February 22, 2014) – Frenchman Michel Disdier brought home a top-25 finish at the famed Daytona International Speedway on Friday, February 21. After visiting the United States as part of an exchange program nearly 20 years ago, Disdier fell in love with American motorsports and dreamed of racing in NASCAR. Competing with SS Green Light Racing in the team’s 314th consecutive start, the race also marked Disdier’s series’ debut in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series.
Rain showers passed through the area on Friday afternoon wreaking havoc on NASCAR’s schedule to both cancel qualifying and delay the start of the 100-lap race. With the field set by practice speeds, Disdier started the race in the 33rd position.
The rain washed the rubber off the track surface and prompted NASCAR to mandate a competition caution, which slowed the field on lap 20 to allow teams to make adjustments and refuel their trucks. Disdier came down pit road for a routine pit stop and while he was on pit road NASCAR officials noticed that his side window had come off the No. 07 Lafayette Racing Chevrolet Silverado. Due to the effects the window has on the aerodynamics, NASCAR ordered the No. 07 Chevrolet back down pit road for repairs. Disdier pulled in the garage as the team secured a replacement window, but lost valuable time and laps in the process.
Knowing the race at Daytona International Speedway is always unpredictable, Disdier returned to the racing surface and logged laps while waiting for the night to unfold for the rest of the competitors. A misfortune in the form of a 13-truck accident gave Disdier the break he needed to gain track position. Able to finish the race without further incident, Disdier was scored with a 24th-place finish at the conclusion of the NextEra Energy Resources 250.
“I think everybody was a bit disappointed with our finish tonight, but things happen,” commented Disdier. “We lost the window—it was a problem that we didn’t foresee or expect, and those are the things that get you behind. That’s our sport; these things happen. Overall, this was still an incredible experience. I have dreamed about this moment for so long. Ten years ago, I decided that I wanted to race in NASCAR and most of the people back home in France thought I was crazy. But here we are. I didn’t come here because I wanted to race Daytona and be done—I want to continue the story.”
