Ted would slowly make his way up through the field and by lap 5 he would be in 8th. A few laps later he would make it up to 6th. Ted would slowly make his way to the 2nd spot by lap 21. And then Ted would lead his first lap of the season!
Caution #1 would soon follow as #12 Joey Miller hits the inside wall on turn 4. Ted would bring the field into the pits. We would hear that Ted is very happy with his truck and would take on tires, fuel and a slight adjustment.
Restart on lap 31 and Ted is 4th. It would take nine race laps and Ted would once again be in 2nd place right behind #6 Mark Martin. Mark has been the point man for most of the race.
Caution #2 comes out on lap 43 as #25 Mike Bliss gets loose and collects a bunch of trucks in the process. Ted would pit once again at this time. Ted would restart in 5th.
Ted would gain a couple of spots right away to take over 3rd. Ted would eventually lose a spot to his teammate #30 Todd Bodine. But with 33 laps to go Ted would pass #59 Mike Wallace for the 3rd spot.
Caution #3 flies on lap 74 as a gaggle of trucks wreck. Ted would make his last pit stop on the day and find himself 3rd on the restart behind Todd and Mark. They would all shuffle spots until Caution #4 with 3 laps to go occours.
Green-white-checkered finish and Ted is 3rd just behind Todd. The Germain teammates had a plan to get by Mark on the restart but they would not get the chance as a fellow Ford spins out at the start/finish line. The race would end.
Interviews afterwards with Ted and Todd were great. They both seemed to be very happy with the trucks they had and of the teammate situation. Both drivers are looking forward to the rest of the season. As are all of us!!
On to California where Ted has 3 wins!