“Finishes Eighth in NASCAR Nationwide Point Standings”
Keller started the race from the 29th position but made his way into the
top 20 on the first lap of the race. When the first caution of the race
occurred on lap 9, crew chief Todd Gordon elected to bring the No. 27 USPS
Ford down pit road to top off with fuel and make a trackbar adjustment to
tighten the car.
When the race went back to green-flag conditions on lap 12, Keller was in
27th. The Greenville, S.C., native had made his way to 23rd when the next
caution occurred on lap 23. While the first 22 cars entered pit road,
Keller kept the USPS Ford on the track and became the race’s third leader.
He led three laps under caution but when the race restarted on lap 28,
quickly fell out of the top 10 surrendering positions to cars with fresh
tires.
As the race progressed, the veteran communicated to crew chief Todd Gordon
that the front of the car needed to turn better. The USPS crew continued
to make adjustments to the car during the middle stages of the race as
Keller ran in the top 20. Keller communicated that the changes were
beginning to help the car turn and he made his way back into the top 15 on
lap 156.
When the final caution of the race occurred on lap 185, Keller brought the
USPS Ford down pit road where the crew put a set of 15-lap tires back on
the car. When the race restarted on lap 190, the No. 27 USPS Ford lined
up in the 14th position. During the last five laps of the race Keller
battled side-by-side with Paul Menard all the way around the track before just
edging out the Sprint Cup regular at the finish line for 13th position.
Baker Curb Racing finishes the season ranked 14th in the NASCAR Nationwide
Series Owner’s Point Standings after finishing 24th in 2008. After
recording just two top-10 finishes in 2008, the team put together eight in
2009.
- Baker Curb Racing Press Release