CONCORD, N.C. (November 5, 2012) – Kenny Wallace had a strong run going in Saturday’s O’Reilly Auto Parts Challenge at Texas Motor Speedway, running within the top 10 much of the night. Unfortunately, a loose-handling conditions plagued the No. 99 Toyota “Let’s Go Places” Toyota Camry throughout the second half of the race, leaving Wallace 15th when the checkered flag waved.
Making the second trip to the Lone Star state during the 2012 Nationwide Series season, Wallace and RAB Racing recorded the 19th and 12th-fastest times in the two scheduled NASCAR Nationwide Series practices leading up to the Saturday evening event. After his qualifying attempt on the 1.5-mile tri-oval, Wallace posted a speed fast enough to slot into the 10th starting position.
Upon taking the green flag, the St. Louis native wasted no time proving his RAB Racing machine would be one to contend with, as he maintained a position inside the top 10 for much of the first half of the event. As the laps clicked off, Wallace developed a loose-handling condition that saw him lose time to the race leaders. Crew chief Scott Zipadelli called for chassis and air pressure adjustments to the No. 99 machine when Wallace hit pit road for the final stop of the night, but the nine-time Nationwide Series race winner quickly reported that the changes were too drastic, as he was too tight to regain the position he’d lost.
Despite the less-than-desired result, RAB Racing gained two positions, moving to 18th in the NASCAR Nationwide Series owner point standings. With 31 of 33 races complete, the No. 99 team trails 19th place by 63 markers.
“The night started out good, we got up to eighth or ninth, and we had a solid run going. Then, we started to get really loose. We made three stops and never got it tightened up. Then we made one last ditch swing at it there at the end and made it too tight. It was a little disappointing, but no excuse. I guess I should have called for less of an adjustment, but still it was a good, competitive run.”
Next weekend, the NASCAR Nationwide Series heads Phoenix International Raceway for round 32 of the 2012 season on Saturday, November 10, 2012.
