NXS: Bliss and Koch Wreck as TriStar Motorsports Struggles Continue

TriStar Motorsports hasn’t had the start to the season that they would’ve hoped for, and that continued on Saturday at Las Vegas Motor Speedway as both Mike Bliss and Blake Koch (pictured) would make significant contact with the wall.

On lap 15 of the race, Bliss would get sideways off of turn two, bouncing off another car before hitting the outside wall. Then at lap 52, Blake Koch would get into the outside turn four wall. He was trying to get underneath Ryan Reed for 14th and washed up the track a little, before hitting the wall. 

“I’m so sorry guys, just got loose underneath him,” Koch said afterwards over the radio.

Wow my @LFRacingTeam boys gave me a great car today.Sick to my stomach that I crashed that car. So impressed with @TriStarRaceTeam 8 guys

— Blake Koch (@BlakeKochRacing) March 8, 2015

Bad news is we lost a really good car today. Good news is my @LFRacingTeam @TriStarRaceTeam 8 guys know how 2 build a fast car.On to Phoenix

— Blake Koch (@BlakeKochRacing) March 8, 2015

To say that TriStar Motosrports hasn’t had the start to the season that they would’ve hoped for is an understatement. While Starr posted a top-10 at Daytona, Scott Lagasse Jr. did not qualify, forcing a pre-race driver switch with Lagasse running the car that was qualified by Bliss. Lagasse was then caught up in a wreck, finishing 17th. That only added insult to injury following Koch’s wreck during qualifying.

Then last weekend at Atlanta Motor Speedway, all of the drivers failed to finish inside the top 20, with Cale Conley posting a result outside of the top 30 due to a blown engine.

As we head into the next round of the West Coast swing with Phoenix International Raceway next week, it goes without saying that the TriStar Motorsports organization is hoping for much more positive results.

About the Author

Ashley McCubbin

Joining OnPitRoad.com mid-2013 season, Ashley McCubbin is now the Managing Editor and contributes to each racing division as needed. Since studying journalism at the University of Guelph-Humber, Ashley has published articles on a couple of different websites, while serving as a public relations representative for different short track teams. Born in North York, Ontario, Ashley currently lives in Bradford, Ontario and spends her weekend at the local short tracks in the area. She has spent her entire life at the short track level, falling in love with the sport at the age of five. Beyond her love of short track racing, she also has grown an interest for both NASCAR and the IndyCar Racing Series. She also enjoys taking photos and working on websites, while playing a couple rounds of Candy Crush afterwards.

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