Fort Worth, TX (November 3, 2013) – After primary driver Eric McClure decided to sit out the ninth annual O’Reilly Auto Parts Challenge due to medical reasons, Jeff Green was appointed to the driver’s seat of the No. 14 Hefty® Ultimate™ Camry. The former NASCAR Nationwide Series Champion earned a 27th place finish in Saturday afternoon’s 300-mile Nationwide Series event at Texas Motor Speedway after starting from the 34th position.
During the first 10 laps, Green was able to advance to the 30thposition despite battling a car that was “plowing” in the center of the turns. Settling into position, Green and Crew Chief Todd Myers began discussing a strategy to help improve the car’s handling. Running in the 28th position, Green made a scheduled green flag pit stop on lap 61 for four tires, fuel, and a series of adjustments to help the car’s handling. When the pit stops cycled through, Green remained in the 28th position.
As the race continued, Green visited pit road two additional times for tires, fuel, and adjustments to help combat the unbalanced race car. In the homestretch of the 200-lap event, the Owensboro, native was able to advance two positions to finish Saturday’s O’Reilly Auto Parts Challenge in the 27th position.
With this finish, the No. 14 TriStar Motorsports team maintained the 26th position in the NASCAR Owner Standings, only three points out of the top-25.
Driver, Jeff Green Quotes:
“I’m happy I was able to help Eric out this weekend. His health is the foremost important thing and I’m glad he decided to sit out. The car was better than where we finish, but we had a hard time trying to find a balance.”