DOVER, Del. (May 30, 2015) – Bubba Wallace traveled to his favorite track on the NASCAR circuit looking for his first NASCAR XFINITY Series victory. The 21-year-old captured his second pole at Dover International Speedway, led 52 laps, and ran in the top-five for the majority of the race. Contact with just a handful of laps remaining forced Wallace to pit road, relegating the team to a 17th-place finish.
Wallace’s No. 6 Ford EcoBoost Mustang was strong in all three rounds of qualifying Saturday morning, helping the Rookie of the Year contender capture his first pole of the season and second NASCAR XFINITY Series pole of his career.
A strong move at the drop of the green flag kept Wallace in first, a position he would maintain for the opening 40 laps of the race. Shortly after Wallace and the No. 33 battled for position at the front of the pack, the caution flag flew.
Crew chief Chad Norris took the opportunity to call his driver down pit road for four tires, fuel and a wedge adjustment, hoping that would help the loose race car. Wallace lined up second for the Lap 61 restart. Shortly into the run, Wallace informed the team that the car handled much better at the start.
Wallace powered his way into the lead on Lap 98, with the caution waving again just two laps later. On Lap 102, Wallace visited pit road for four tires, fuel and a slight chassis adjustment. Varying pit strategies at the front of the field left Wallace to restart in fifth.
Upon exiting pit road, Norris informed Wallace that he was between six to eight laps shy on fuel to the end of the race. Wallace spent the remainder of the race in the top-five, inheriting the lead on Lap 184 as the leaders visited pit road for fuel. Wallace was instructed to remain on the track and continue saving fuel.
As the laps wound down Wallace and Roush Fenway teammate Chris Buescher made contact, forcing Wallace down pit road with a flat tire, leaving the team with a 17th-place finish.
With the result, Wallace is fifth in the NASCAR XFINITY Series point standings. The series returns to action at Michigan International Speedway after a weekend off.
NEXT UP:
Great Clips 250
Two-mile Michigan International Speedway
Brooklyn, Mich.
Saturday, June 13, 2015
1:30 p.m. ET on FoxSports1 and MRN
RACE SUMMARY
Bubba Wallace
Started: 1
Finished: 17
Complete Race Results:
POINTS SUMMARY
Bubba Wallace
2015 Season Total: Fifth with 399 points
2015 SEASON SUMMARY
Bubba Wallace
Starts Wins Top-Fives Top-10s Poles
12 0 1 4 1
