NXS: TriStar Motorsports Post-Race Report: Homestead-Miami Speedway

Blake Koch qualified 25th for the Ford EcoBoost 300, followed by David Starr in 33rd and Eric McClure in 36th.

The 200-lap race included six cautions for 26 laps and 13 lead changes among five drivers.

Blake Koch finished the race 18th, followed by David Starr in 25th and Eric McClure in 29th.

In the final qualifying session in the 2015 NASCAR XFINITY Series season, Blake Koch qualified 25th for the Ford EcoBoost 300. When an early caution flag was shown, Koch reported that his Camry was too free. The team came to pit road and made multiple adjustments. When the competition caution came out at lap 25, Koch re-visited pit road for four tires, fuel and adjustments. On lap 67, Koch was scored in the 22nd position and was laying down his fastest laps of the weekend. At the halfway mark, Koch reported that the adjustments helped his Camry and was scored in the 20th position. The caution flag was shown on lap 140 for light rain. With 13 laps to go, Koch was running 19th and would advance one position to finish the 300-mile race in the 18th position.

Driver QUOTE: “Two top-20 finishes in a row is a good way to end our season. We have learned a ton and I am very thankful for my whole team and all of my sponsors. “

David Starr, driver of the No. 44 Zachry Camry qualified 33rd for the Ford EcoBoost 300 at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Early in the race, Starr relayed the Zachry Camry was tight and it was decided to stay out during first caution on lap nine. With the competition caution, on lap 25, Crew Chief Matt Lucas called Starr to pit for adjustments to free up the handling and he rejoined the field in the 23rd position. Starr continued to battle a tight condition and requested more of the changes from the previous pit stop. The team made the adjustments accordingly and the No. 44 Zachry Camry became “wrecking loose” per Starr. He stayed consistent in the 26th position for the majority of the second half of the 200 lap event. Starr ultimately took the checkers in the 25th position to close out the 2015 NASCAR XFINITY Series season.

                              

The 21st Annual Ford EcoBoost 300 posed hurdles for Eric McClure, as he rolled off 37th. In his seventh start at the 1.5-mile track, McClure was quick to gain three positions by the third lap.  Radioing that the No. 24 Reynolds Wrap® Camry was losing grip, McClure was coached through the first caution on lap 11. Knowing there should be a competition caution on or around lap-25, Crew Chief Rick Ren ensured his driver they would take a swing at the ill handling Camry. When the caution flag flew on lap-25, the blue and silver Camry came to pit road for four tires and a chassis adjustment.  Restarting 32nd McClure said his car was “tighter when he tried to run the bottom line.” Pitting from the 28th position on lap 85, the Reynolds Wrap® crew was under pressure as they performed their one-and-only green flag pit stop of the afternoon.  McClure still required more stability in his Camry and brought to pit road for the final time during the events fourth caution on lap 141.  McClure made gains at the laps ran out to finish the NASCAR Season Finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway in the 29th position.

Driver QUOTE: “Today was a battle and it’s not how we wanted the season to end. However, we did gain a spot in Owner and Driver Points.  The crew I had was unrivaled in their support of me and we battled through the adversity together. I’m proud of that and thankful for the opportunity we had at TriStar Motorsports this season.”

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