Race 10 of 33: Allied Steel Buildings 200 at Dover International Speedway
Track Details: 1-mile oval / 200 laps
No. 08: Gray Gaulding Result: 20th
No. 07: Ray Black Jr. Result: 24th
Team 08 World Wide Safety Consulting Chevrolet Camaro:
After a career best NASCAR Xfinity Series finish of second last week at Talladega Superspeedway, Gray Gaulding and the entire 08 team had all kinds of momentum coming into Dover. The second place finish qualified Gaudling for the Xfinity ‘Dash4Cash’, which brought the team countless media mentions and interviews across platforms such as: NBC Sports, FOX Sports, Sirius XM NASCAR Radio, and NASCAR.com among many others throughout the week. Dotter’s 08 team was a David amongst Goliaths to take home the $100,000 bonus in Saturday’s Allied Steel Builings 200, but the team was going to give it all they had.
The green flag dropped and Gaudling battled tight in and loose off the corner during the first stage. On top of the handling issues the team fought radio communications throughout the race, making it hard for the team to hear their driver. When the first stage came to an end Gaudling was in the 18th position.
Crew Chief Patrick Donahue went to work to help his driver for the second stage. The second stage was a reflection of the first. Gaulding continued to battle a loose handling racecar and radio communications. At the end of the second stage Gaulding was in the 20th position.
Donahue rolled the dice by taking the wave around for the final stage. With 47 laps remaining the caution was displayed after the 23 car got into the 21 car. Gaulding had pitted under the green prior to the caution. With $100,000 on the line, Donahue elected to take another wave around to give his driver a fighting chance. With about 18 laps remaining Gaulding miraculously kept the car off the wall after the 78 car caused him to spin late. The team put some tires on the 08 and sent him back out. When the checkered flag waved Gaulding brought home his No. 08 World Wide Safety Consulting Chevy in the 20th position.
Gray Gaulding:
“Dover wasn’t the day we were hoping for. We struggled with the handling and pit strategy all weekend. We just couldn’t find anything to get us what we needed to be good in the race. Overall it was a great week leading up to the race being a part of the final dash for cash race of the year. That says a lot about what we have been doing over the past few weeks! Thank you to Worldwide Safety Consulting, Mane N Tail, and Panini for helping us get the funding to give it a run for the Dash 4 Cash. We’re ready to regroup, go to Charlotte, and have a good run.”
Bobby Dotter Thoughts on the 08 Team:
“The weekend did not quite go as we were hoping. We never could quite get the car where we needed it for the race. Just to qualify for the ‘Dash4Cash’ and to be a part of all the festivities leading up to the race was really humbling to be a part of.”
Team 07 Isokern Fireplaces & Chimneys Chevrolet Camaro:
This weekend was all about redemption for Ray Black Jr. and the 07 team. Black suffered engine woes last weekend at Talladega, so the team was ready to put last week behind them.
Ray Black Jr. rolled off from the 22nd position to begin his day in Dover. Black battled the handing in the opening stage, radioing to the crew saying he was tight- center off. At the end of the first stage Black was 23rd.
Crew Chief Jason Miller went to work, making adjustments to free up the 07 Isokern Fireplaces & Chimneys Camaro. By the end of the second stage, Black advanced to the 22nd position.
With 47 laps remaining Miller rolled the dice by taking a wave around to gain a lap back. A couple late cautions hurt the strategy for the 07 team, shuffling them down the leader board. When it was all said and done, Ray Black Jr. brought the 07 home in the 24th position.
Ray Black Jr:
“It was a solid day overall even though we didn’t get the finish we were looking for. The car was really good on medium runs. We just caught some tough breaks with the cautions. I’m looking forward to Charlotte!”
Bobby Dotter Thoughts on the 07 Team:
“The 07 team had a solid weekend. I was happy we were able to rebound after last weekend. We’ll keep working hard and get ready for Charlotte.”
Looking Ahead:
SS Green Light Racing drivers Gray Gaulding and Ray Black Jr. sit 14th and 19th respectively in the NASCAR Xfinity Series points standings. The teams will have a few weeks off before a home race in Charlotte. Coverage of the Alsco 300 from Charlotte Motor Speedway will begin Saturday May 25th at 1:00 PM ET on FS1.
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