Joey Coulter and Monster Energy Team 14th at Chicagoland Speedway Maintain Lead in Series Owner’s Points Championship with Over Half the Schedule Completed
In his second attempt this year with the No. 54 Monster Energy team, Kyle Busch Motorsports driver Joey Coulter and the Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR) NASCAR Nationwide Series Camry maintained their Owner’s Point lead with a 14th-place finish at Chicagoland Speedway in Joliet on Sunday. For NASCAR Camping World Truck Series regular, Coulter, it was his fourth start in the Nationwide Series and the second of three times he’ll take over the seat of the black and green machine this year. His final start with the JGR group will come later this summer at Kentucky Speedway in Sparta for the second 2013 Nationwide Series event.
Hot summer heat baked the garage area through the weekend in Illinois, but race teams are used to it, now entering the third quarter of NASCAR’s 33-week schedule. On Saturday, NASCAR conducted two lengthy practice sessions to offer race teams ample time to set their cars up for the 1.5-mile oval, 50 miles south of the “Windy City.” Reunited to race together for only the second time this year, Coulter and JGR crew chief Adam Stevens spent full sessions working on the balance of the race car, in order to produce more speed.
By lap 23 the matte black machine and Coulter were steadily advancing towards the front of the field, reaching 13th by lap 25. “Good job man, just keep chipping away at it,” described Stevens to Coulter in only his fourth Nationwide Series career start. He continued, “You are catching the next five or six.” Coulter confirmed back that his Toyota Camry was a little ‘snug’, something they would address with changes, on the first pit road visit.
The car didn’t immediately ‘come back’ to Coulter as quickly as he would have liked after his pit road changes. Spotter Tony Hirschman and crew chief Stevens pumped up their driver over the radio, and pointed out the No. 54 was racing lap times as good as the race leader. At lap 85, Coulter reported into the team that the car’s balance was finally coming back to him and he was more comfortable driving through the turns.
While the team hoped Coulter could break into the top-10 in the second half of the race, their plans did not yield the results they were looking for. Two additional pit-road visits would offer Stevens and his No. 54 crew time to make further adjustments to the black Monster Energy Camry, however, attempting to gain track position would prove difficult for the Nationwide Series rookie. Restarts proved to be a challenge for Coulter to maintain his position, although, the eager Monster Energy athlete wheeled his machine hard and maintained a top-15 finish, bringing the Camry home in 14th place at the conclusion of the race.Coulter expressed post-race, “It wasn’t a bad day for the No. 54 Camry. It definitely was a huge learning experience for me. I learned a lot. I wish I could have held track position better. We had a super-fast car today I just didn’t capitalize on the track position. I’ll have to go back and watch the tape to see where I can improve for Kentucky. I really appreciate the opportunity that Toyota, Joe Gibbs Racing and Kyle Busch Motorsports offered me and thank them for the support.”
About Monster Beverage Company:
Based in Corona, California, Monster Energy refuses to acknowledge the traditional and the disingenuous. Monster always supports the scene and the sport. Whether it be motocross, off-road, NASCAR, MotoGP, BMX, surf, snowboard, ski, skateboard, or the rock and roll lifestyle, Monster is a brand that believes in authenticity and the core of what its sports, athletes and musicians symbolize. Much more than a drink, it’s a way of life lived by our athletes, sports, bands, believers and fans. See more about Monster Beverage Company – including all of its drinks – at www.monsterenergy.com and F
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Category: Press Releases
