With the threat of rain looming the race would go into hurry-up mode and start 10 minutes early. Once again almost immediatly there is a Caution. This one caused by Debra Renshaw spinning into the grass. While this is happening the field checks up and Ted bumps into Chad Chaffin. No major damage occours. Ted would restart in 9th.
Caution #2 comes a few laps after the restart for a two truck incident involving Hittori and Sutton. After they clean up the wreck they would restart the race on lap 12 with Ted now in 10th. Ted looks good at this point and works up to the 7th spot on lap 20 then to the 6th spot on lap 23.
With the weather looking bad and the sighting of lighting the race continues on. By lap 34 Ted finds himself in 5th place. Then on lap 46 Setzer gets a flat tire and creates Caution #3. Everyone would pit. Ted would come in for 4 tires and gas and adjustments. Ted would restart in 8th place.
Shortly after the restart Ted would start to fall back. By lap 52 he is in 12th place and still going backwards. Then on lap 53 Cauiton #4 comes out for a incident involving Peters and Pressley. Ted would pit again and undo the adjustments he did the pit before. Ted would restart the race on lap 59 in 23rd.
Well the pit stop did not fix the problem and Ted continues to fall back. By lap 63 he is in 28th and over 2 seconds slower than the field.
Luck would come Ted's way in the form of Caution #5 as Bill Lester spins on lap 72. Ted would pit and get four tires and fuel and adjustments. We learn later that the problem was a rear tire going flat. Ted would restart the race in 23rd on lap 74 which was the halfway point of the race making it official.
On the restart we see Terry Cook "driving it like he stole it" then hits the wall for his efforts and causes Caution #6. Ted would restart the race a few laps later in 16th place. Two laps later Ted is in 13th place and moving to the front with authority.
With 56 laps to go Ted is in 10th place!
With 40 laps to go Ted is in 8th place and one of a few trucks that can make it on fuel. But wouldn't ya know it Caution #7 comes out for Keslowski hitting the wall. Ted would pit with the leaders and come out 8th. But Spencer would get caught for speeding on pit row and Ted would move up to 7th for the restart with 30 to go.
It would take Ted another ten laps to get by lap traffic and gain a spot. Just two laps later Ted would make a strong move to get past both Gaughan and Benson to advance to 4th! Then guess what??? Yuppers, Caution #8 comes out as Hines hits the wall and lays down some oil. A possible big break for Ted and his strong truck as the leader Mike Skinner hits the wall and has damage.
There would be a single file resart with 7 laps to go. No lap traffic and a wounded leader just ahead. Ted would go low for the pass on Lester but would ya believe it Caution #9 comes out as Craven hits the wall.
The final restart with 3 laps to go and Ted is 4th. Ruetimann makes it past Skinner for the lead. Skinner drops back to 2nd and slides up into Lester in 3rd and Ted takes advantage and passes them both to end up the race in 2nd place!
After the race Ted would say it was hard work by all the guys. It was a great rebound from the early race problems. Close but no Guitar!
Way to go guys!
Ted finishes 2nd at Nashville for the 3rd time.
Ted would gain 49 points on Setzer.
David Reutimann would win his first race.
There were a record 9 cautions during the race.
Once again there is a late race Chevrolet wreck.
With 16 races in the books last year Ted was -290 points.
With 16 races in the books this year Ted is -178 points.
On to Bristol, Tennessee for a Wednesday night race. Ted has finished 27th (crash) and 15th there. Lets hope for a much better result as our #1 guy charges to the top of the points.
Keep it up Mopar crew!!