Team Information:
Started: 10th
Finished: 2nd
Laps: 60/60
Laps Led:
Status: Running
2016 Driver Points: 8th
2016 Owner Points: 8th
Cameron Hayley Race Recap:
Cameron Hayley, driver of the No. 13 Cabinets by Hayley Toyota Tundra, made his second start at Pocono Raceway in Saturday’s Pocono Mountains 150. The sophomore driver started a track-best 10th, when qualifying was cancelled due to weather, and the field was set based on the rule book, ran consistently inside the top-five, and finished a track-best second. The top-five result was his second top-five finish in two starts at the 2.5-mile track, tying his career-best of second at Atlanta Motor Speedway earlier this season.
Starting 10th, Hayley was scored fifth by lap 10, and third by lap 20, battling a Toyota Tundra that was, “too tight in Turns 1 and 2.” With a multitude of strategies on pit road, crew chief Eddie Troconis brought the No. 13 machine to pit road, under the fourth caution of the day at lap 25, for four tires, fuel and a chassis adjustment. Restarting ninth at lap 27, the Calgary, Alberta, Canada native was sixth at lap 30, and scored second by lap 40. The ThorSport driver remained second through the final 20 laps, and even made a move on a late restart with teammate, Matt Crafton, for the lead, but crossed the stripe in the second position behind race winner, William Byron.
Quote:
What were you thinking on the last restart?
“I was definitely nervous, especially that last lap. I was just praying that we had enough fuel, but Eddie (Troconis, crew chief) made a great call up on the box. Our Cabinets by Hayley Tundra was strong all day, and right at the end there – man those restarts were crazy. Thanks to Timothy (Peters) for pushing me. I couldn’t have done it without him. That 9 (William Byron) was fast. Man, I wish we could catch him, but thanks to Cabinets by Hayley, Carolina Nut Company, it was just a good day for us.”
How tricky was the ‘Tricky Triangle’ this afternoon for you?
“It was definitely tricky for sure. It’s interesting with these caution clocks, fuel mileage, and you never know exactly what you’re going to get. And, we stretched it to about as far as it would go. I ran out coming into pit road, so we were definitely stretching it. We were worried about that, but our Tundra was really fast today. We struggled in Turns 1 and 2 all day, but the tunnel, and in Turn 3 we were on it. The 9 (William Byron) is so fast, we need to really go back and look at things because he’s definitely a step above us. We worked hard all day and those restarts were crazy like Brett (Moffitt) said, but we were able to come out at least with a second-place finish. I would’ve liked the win, but that 9 is pretty fast so we’ll keep trying.”
How important is it to have strong finishes knowing the Chase is coming up?
“Well, thanks for reminding me there’s only four or five races left (laughter). We did almost all we could to get in the Chase there. Obviously we would’ve liked to win. The 9 (William Byron) is really strong. He’s got so many wins I don’t know why he didn’t just pull over and let me go. Overall, we definitely gave it all we had, and a second place finish is huge for us points-wise. Had some struggles at the beginning of the year and we’re definitely overcoming it here in July but it’s a good step forward for sure.”
News & Notes:
- The NASCAR Camping World Truck Series (NCWTS) had two practice sessions on Friday in preparation for Saturday’s Pocono Mountains 150 at Pocono Raceway. Hayley was fourth, and 11th, respectively, in both sessions.
- Qualifying for the 7th annual NCWTS at Pocono was cancelled on Saturday morning due to weather. The 32-truck field was set based on the rule book – practice speeds – and Hayley rolled off from the 10th position for the 60-lap event.
- Making his second start at Pocono Raceway, Hayley started 10th, and finished second, a track-best for the sophomore driver. The solid result was his second top-five in two starts at the “Tricky Triangle.”
- Hayley’s second-place finish ties for his career-best. The ThorSport driver also finished second at Atlanta Motor Speedway earlier this season.
- In 12 starts in 2016, Hayley has led 21 laps en route to three top-five, and six top-10 finishes.
- In 38 career NCWTS starts, Hayley has led 99 laps en route to seven top-five and 21 top-10 finishes.
- Hayley’s ThorSport Racing teammates finished sixth (Abreu), 11th (Rhodes), and 12th (Crafton).
- Up Next: The UNOH 200 at Bristol Motor Speedway on Wednesday, August 17 at 8:30pm ET.