BK Racing News: Early Brake Failure Ends Whitt’s Day at Watkins Glen

NASCAR Sprint Cup Series | Race 22 of 36 | Sunday, August 10, 2014

HUNTERSVILLE, N.C. (August 11, 2014) – Cole Whitt and the No. 26 Bully Hill Vineyard Toyota Camry team finished 43rd at Watkins Glen (N.Y.) International on Sunday afternoon.  Severe damage from an incident caused by brake failure left Whitt unable to continue in the event after just nine laps.

Starting inside the top-20 for the third time in his Sprint Cup Series career, Whitt rolled off 18th at the 2.45-mile road course in Watkins Glen, N.Y.  Expecting a wild race on the high-speed course filled with twists and turns, Whitt settled in and asked his crew for adjustments to improve his forward drive early in the race.

After complaining of a soft brake pedal in the early laps, Whitt applied pressure to the pedal entering the first turn on the ninth lap.  However, the pedal went to the floor without slowing the Bully Hill Vineyard Toyota Camry, and Whitt had hard contact with the tire barrier in the turn more commonly known as “the ninety.”  Whitt emerged from the car unharmed, but the extensive front-end damage on the No. 26 machine proved to be too much to continue.  Whitt was scored with a 43rd-place finish.

“We had a great Bully Hill Vineyards Toyota Camry today,” commented Whitt.  “On days like this, it’s so disappointing when you suffer a mechanical failure.  We started inside the top-20 and had a great car all weekend throughout practice.  We all wanted to put on a great show for our friends from Bully Hill Vineyard, and I think we had the car to do it.  Unfortunately we lost the brakes going into the ninety, and at that point there was nothing I could do.  It was a hard impact, but I’m glad we didn’t collect anyone else in the process.  I’m sure I’ll feel it tomorrow.”

Next weekend, the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series will return to Michigan International Speedway for the second time this season. On Friday, August 15, FOX Sports 1 will cover practice (12 p.m. EDT) and qualifying (4:30 p.m. EDT).  ESPN2 will cover practice from the two-mile Michigan International Speedway at 8:30 a.m. EDT on Saturday, August 16.  The Pure Michigan 400 will be broadcast on ESPN, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio at 1 p.m. EDT on Sunday, August 17.  Fans can visit BKRacing.com, or follow the team on Facebook (facebook.com/BKRacing2383) or twitter (@BKRacing_2383) for the latest news and updates.