TriStar Motorsports Post-Race Report Nationwide Children’s Hospital 200 at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course

Mike Bliss Finishes 11^th: Mike Bliss qualified 20^th for his 700^th career NASCAR start. Early into the race Bliss was working his way through the field and gaining positions each lap. By lap 16, Bliss was scored in the 14^th position and reporting that his Camry was losing side and rear grip. With 65 laps to go, the No. 19 TriStar Motorsports Camry was running 11^th and when the caution came out he reported his Camry was turning nicely. The team pitted for four tires, fuel and an air pressure adjustment. Bliss was running 12^th with 41 laps to go and 14 laps later (Lap 55), he had gained 7 positions and was scored in the 5^th position. With 20 laps to go, the No. 19 Camry was scored in the 20^th position and would advance nine positions to finish the Nationwide Children’s Hospital 200 in the 11^th position.

Carlos Contreras Finishes 21^st:  In his final race with TriStar Motorsports this season, Carlos Contreras qualified 22^nd for Saturday’s race. Contreras was ready for his first race at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course. Early into the race, Contreras came to pit road, under caution, for fuel only. On lap 11, Contreras was scored in the 26^th position and was moving through the field. When the second caution flag was shown, Contreras radioed in that his Camry was loose. The team came to pit road for four tires, fuel and adjustments. With 41 laps complete, Contreras was scored in the 19^th position and by lap 55 the No. 44 38 Special/Ingersoll Rand/Voli Camry was scored in the 12^th position. Running in the 6^th position with 28 laps to go, Contreras’s team told him he needed to pit for fuel only. Contreras reported that his car was running good, until there was contact made with another car on track that left his Camry damaged. Contreras battled until the checkered flag and brought home a 21^st place finish.

Jeff Green Finishes 29^th: Jeff Green was back behind the wheel of the No. 14 Hefty®/Reynolds Wrap® Camry this weekend for his third (of five) race with the team. Green had a strong qualifying run and qualified 17^th. Early into the race, Green reported that his No. 14 Camry had overall good balance, but had some tire chatter in turn one. Green was scored in the 15^th position and by lap 16 was scored in 13^th. Green reported that his car was loose and on the next pit stop the team changed four tires, fuel and made adjustments. On lap 38, Green was scored in the 10^th position and was steadily moving his way through the field. After making contact with a car on track, Green spun and continued without damage. The team pitted for four tires and fuel and returned to the track. Unfortunately on lap 71, Green spun and made contact with the wall while running in the 2^nd position. Green was taken to the infield care center where he was evaluated and released. Unable to return to the track due to heavy damage, Green finished the race in the 29^th position.

Next Race: The NASCAR Nationwide Series heads to Bristol Motor Speedway for the Food City 300 under the lights on Friday, August 22^nd.