Wood’s Martinsville Run Deflated by Tire Rub

Venue: Martinsville Speedway

FINISH:26th

Start: 10th

Laps Led: 0

Jack Wood piloted the No. 91 Alpha Vision Media Chevrolet Silverado to a 26th-place finish at Martinsville Speedway in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Zip Buy Now, Pay Later 200 on Friday night. During the single practice session Wood posted the eighth fastest time and in one round of qualifying, earned the 10th starting position.

Throughout the 50-lap Stage 1, Wood fought a tight handling condition. As the first caution flag flew on Lap 37, Wood was in the 11th position and crew chief Kevin Bellicourt kept him out on track to regain the 10th position. On the restart, the No. 91 was trapped in the outside lane and lost several positions, finishing the first stage in the 19th place. Under the caution period, Wood hit pit road for four tires, fuel and adjustments.

Following the stage break, Wood restarted 25th, and during the second stage he reported that he was free in and free off the corner. The caution flew on Lap 99, ending the stage while the No. 91 machine was in the 24th position. Bellicourt brought the 24-year-old driver to pit road for four fresh tires, fuel, adjustments and minor repairs to a fender.

Wood restarted the final stage in the 20th position on Lap 110, but at around Lap 150 it became apparent that the No. 91 had a severe left-rear tire rub and Bellicourt was forced to call him to pit road on Lap 155 to change the left side tires and repair the fender. He rejoined the field in 31st position, but in the remaining laps he was able to gain five spots and finish the race in the 26th position, four laps down. 

Jack Wood Quote:

“I thought practice and qualifying went well. The first stage of the race went pretty decent, but we lost track position and the balance went away and just the traffic hurt us. We’ll try again at Phoenix.”