NASCAR Driver Places 17th at Dover International Speedway
DOVER, Del. (May 15, 2016) – It was another strong trip to Dover International Speedway for NASCAR XFINITY Series (NXS) driver Ray Black Jr. and his SS Green Light Racing team, as they had the speed they needed right from the start of the weekend. The driver of the No. 07 ScubaLife.com Chevrolet not only captured his career-best NXS starting position but also recorded a new career-best NXS finish when he placed 17th in the Ollie’s Bargain Outlet 200 on Saturday.
Black and the No. 07 ScubaLife Chevrolet were fast right from the beginning of the race weekend, finishing in the Top-25 for both practice sessions. The handling was also spot on this weekend for Black, as only minor changes were needed throughout Friday’s track time.
“The car unloaded so well this weekend!” said Black. “It was bad fast right from the start so I was able to use most of those practice sessions to just get comfortable to the track again and figure out a good rhythm. We really didn’t need to make a lot of changes and were very pleased with how it ran.”
Black would go on to qualify 22nd, putting him in the second heat race on Saturday. During his heat race, the car started to get a little too snug but the team was able to make a pit stop under the only caution of the heat to adjust the rear shock. Black would finish his heat 10th, securing him the 20th place starting position for the main – his best starting spot in his NXS career.
Once the green flag flew on the main, Black worked hard to keep his forward momentum while also dealing with a slightly tighter race car. Despite the handling, Black competed in the Top-20 for the majority of the event, running lap times consistent with the Top-15.
With a caution coming out in the closing laps of the race, Black worked with his crew chief, Jason Miller, to come to the decision to stay out of the pits, giving him the track position in the final 10 laps of the main to secure a 17th place finish. The finish bested Black’s previous career-best result in the NXS, which came at Bristol Motor Speedway when he placed 20th.
“It was just a really great weekend all around for our team!” Black explained. “We had solid practices, qualifying and heat race so to see that continue into our main and result in a career-best finish feels so good. It’s really a cool feeling to visit one of the hardest tracks on the circuit and come out with a new career-best finish. Dover has been good to me, and I am really looking forward to returning in October!”
Black and his team will now have a one week break before returning to the track at Charlotte Motor Speedway on Saturday, May 28.
Fans can keep up with Ray Black Jr. by following him and his sponsor, ScubaLife, on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram at @RayBlackJr and @TeamScubaRacing.
