Mooresville, NC (April 26, 2014) – Friday night’s race at Richmond International Raceway was not able to start on time due to Mother Nature. After completing qualifying, the rain arrived at Richmond International Raceway, which forced fans and teams to take cover and stay safe. Once the rain left the track, drivers were able to get on track for the Toyota Care 250. During the race the fog kept building, which made it difficult for the drivers and spotters to see the track. Race results are below:
Mike Bliss Finishes 16th at Richmond International Raceway
Mike Bliss and the No. 19 TriStar Motorsports Toyota Camry qualified 18th for the Toyota Care 250 Friday afternoon at Richmond International Raceway. Bliss battled his way through the race Friday night with a tight racecar. At lap 40, the competition caution came out and Bliss came on the radio saying his car was tight. Under the competition caution he was able to pit for four tires and fuel. On lap 75, Bliss was running 20th and by lap 95 he had worked his way back up to 18th. When a caution came out for debris in turn 4, Bliss came on the radio saying he was having trouble hearing everyone on his radio. With 10 laps to go, Bliss was running 16th which was where he finished the Toyota Care 250.
Blake Koch Finishes 21st at Richmond International Raceway
Blake Koch and the No. 44 K-LOVE Crisis Response Training Camry qualified 27th for Friday nights race at Richmond International Raceway. Koch felt comfortable in his Toyota Camry through both practice sessions and qualifying, so he knew he would have a good racecar come Friday night. By the time the competition caution came out, Koch had worked his way up into the top-25. Under this caution, Koch brought his Camry to pit road for four tires and fuel. On lap 95, Koch had worked his way up to 22nd. When the caution flag flew for debris in turn 4, Koch brought the No. 44 Crisis Response Training Camry to pit road for four tires and fuel. Blake Koch finished the Toyota Care 250 in 21st after starting the race from the 27th position.
Eric McClure Finishes 29th at Richmond International Raceway
After qualifying 32nd for the Toyota Care 250, Eric McClure and the No. 14 Hefty®/Reynolds Wrap® Camry were ready to go night racing at Richmond International Raceway. McClure had worked his way up to 26th by lap 18. When the competition caution came out, McClure reported that his Camry was tight in the center, so the team pitted for four tires, fuel, chassis adjustment and an air pressure adjustment. By lap 77, McClure came on the radio saying that the car had lost all grip. McClure was running 21st on lap 108 and when he came to pit road for his green flag pit stop he was running 19th. With 13 laps to go, McClure was running 28th and when the checker flag waved McClure finished 29th.
About TriStar Motorsports NC, LLC: TriStar Motorsports NC, LLC current fields Toyota Camry’s in the NASCAR Nationwide Series for Mike Bliss, Jeff Green, Hal Martin, Eric McClure and Blake Koch. Located in Mooresville, North Carolina, TriStar Motorsports has competed in NASCAR’s Sprint Cup and Nationwide Series since 1989; fielding cars for some of NASCAR’s premier drivers including Bobby Hamilton, Greg Sacks, Phil Parsons, Mike Wallace, Jason Keller, Reed Sorenson, Tony Raines and others. To find out more information about TriStar Motorsports please visit www.tristarmotorsportsnc.com, like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.
