Catchfence

LAS VEGAS, NV. (September 26, 2009)- Timothy Peters and the #17 Red Horse Racing team were excited to get back to a mile and a half race track. Armed with Peters’ favorite chassis, the team was optimistic they would be able to battle for the win in Las Vegas. The #17 team spent two practice sessions Saturday morning working hard to get their Toyota Tundra handling better over the bumps in turns one and two. Peters qualified 24th and knew he would have his work cut out for him in the race. When the green flag dropped, Peters knew he would need track position before he could flex his muscle. Crew chief Chad Kendrick gambled with pit strategy to get his driver up front and Peters took care of the rest. The duo brought home a fifth place finish, marking their third top-five finish of the season.

The #17 crew spent much of two practice sessions trying to get their Toyota Tundra handling better on the bumpy surface of Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Peters qualified 24th but knew the truck was better than it showed in qualifying.

When the Las Vegas 350 took the green flag, Peters was on a mission to get to the front. An early caution came out on lap three and crew chief Chad Kendrick knew he would have to get his driver off sequence with everyone else to get him to the front. He made the gamble and called Peters to pit road on lap five for fuel and a track bar adjustment.

Peters restarted 24th but was moving up in a hurry. By lap 16, he was running in the 17th position. Another caution flag flew on lap 21 and Peters hit pit road again on lap 23. He picked up fuel, wedge, and track bar adjustments all in one trip down pit road. Most competitors made two trips down pit road so Peters picked up plenty of track position. He restarted from the fifth spot.

He held onto the fifth position for several laps before eventually slipping to the sixth spot. Peters radioed the crew his Tundra was just a little free getting into turn three but that he could manage it. Another caution came out on lap 49 and Peters hit pit road on lap 51. He picked up four fresh tires and returned the following lap for fuel and a shock adjustment. He restarted 19th but was headed to the front in a hurry. Peters reached the 10th spot in 30 laps. Still reporting the truck was loose in the center of turns three and four, Peters marched on.

Nearing his fuel window by lap 100, Peters watched as other competitors peeled off and hit pit road under green flag conditions. As the leaders pitted, Peters moved up in the field, eventually taking the lead on lap 116. Needing to fuel up himself, Peters headed for pit road on lap 118. Just after the #17 merged back on the track, the caution came out. Peters was running in the seventh position. The team made the choice to stay out for the final 22 laps of the race.

When green flag racing resumed, Peters restarted from the third spot. He battled each and every lap to hold his position but by the time the checkered flag flew, he was running in the fifth spot. The #17 team was thrilled that pit strategy had paid off and they were able to earn another top-five finish.

The NASCAR Camping World Truck Series will enjoy three weekends off before heading to Martinsville, Virginia. The Kroger 200 at Martinsville Speedway is scheduled for Saturday, October 24th. It will be televised on SPEED Channel at 1:00 p.m. EDT.

- Red Horse Racing Press Release