Ron Hornaday Earns Top-Five Finish in NCWTS Return to Gateway

NASCAR Truck Series – Drivin’ For Linemen 200
June 14th, 2014 – Gateway Motorsports Park

Returning to Gateway Motorsports Park for the first time since 2010, Ron Hornaday proved that he still knew how to get around the track where he had one previous victory and three top-five finishes. After starting deep in the field, Hornaday and his No. 30 Rheem Comfort Products team overcame early handling issues and a potentially disastrous pit stop to finish fifth in the Drivin’ For Linemen 200.

Taking the green flag from the 16th position, Hornaday quickly reported that he needed help on entry. However, the handling on the Rheem Comfort Products adjusted as day transitioned to night, and the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series (NCWTS) veteran had advanced to the 10th spot when it came time to make a green-flag pit stop on lap 57. The Turner Scott Motorsports (TSM) crew made a fast four-tire pit stop, but as Hornaday was exiting the pit stall, the gas can was stuck in the No. 30 truck. However, the fueler made an impressive save, holding onto the can to prevent it from leaving the pit box, which would have incurred a penalty. Returning to the track one lap down because pit stops had not completely cycled through, the caution flag on lap 66 benefited Hornaday, allowing him to regain his lap and restart in the 10th position. While Hornaday found that the early entry and exit of the No. 30 truck were better than before the chassis adjustment was made in the pits, he reported that the truck was hopping on lap 98.On lap 118, Hornaday brought his TSM machine into the pits, once again under green, taking four tires, fuel and an air-pressure adjustment. The field would see the yellow flag on lap 124 when a competitor made a hard hit into the wall, and while under caution, Hornaday ran over an obscured brake rotor, forcing him to return to the pits for four tires. Scored in the 12th position when the field restarted on lap 133, Hornaday used the remaining laps to methodically pick of his competitors. Although his Rheem machine was still experiencing some hopping, Hornaday fought his way into the top five before the checkered flag waved, crossing the finish line in fifth.

I really can’t thank my Turner Scott Motorsports team enough. They worked so hard tonight, and we recovered from a few incidents that could have ended badly for us. Our fuel man had a great save and kept us from getting a pit-road penalty early on, and Doug George and the rest of the guys worked hard to help give me the best Rheem Comfort Products Chevrolet they could. I really like this track, and I’m so glad that I was able to come back and have a strong run. We haven’t made it to victory lane yet, but I know that our win is coming soon. Hopefully in Kentucky. – Ron Hornaday Jr.

Start – 16, Finish – 5, Laps Led – 0, Points – 39