RCR NXS Race Recap: Michigan International Speedway

Jesse Love and the No. 2 Whelen Chevrolet Team Show Speed at Michigan International Speedway

“We had a decent Whelen Chevrolet today at Michigan International Speedway. We had a good starting spot and were able to race in the lead draft most of the day. We gained stage points in Stage 2 by finishing second. We made some strategy calls mid-race to set us up for the end and in hopes of other cars having to pit under green. On lap 109, we had to pit under the green flag for four tires and fuel and in the process, we went a lap down. I felt a vibration a few laps before that, and I didn’t want to take the chance of blowing out a tire and wrecking the car. At that late stage in the race, it was impossible to make up the lap, so we had to settle with a 29th-place finish. I felt like we had a top-10 car and it wasn’t meant to be. We will go back to the shop and get ready for Daytona International Speedway next weekend. Richard Childress Racing and ECR Engines always bring fast cars there and I’m looking forward to it.”

-Jesse Love

Austin Hill and the No. 21 United Rentals Chevrolet Team Battle Throughout Race at Michigan International Speedway

“Our No. 21 United Rentals Chevrolet team battled the entire weekend at Michigan International Speedway, but overall, it wasn’t our best showing from start to finish. On initial fire off at the beginning of the race, the grip level was okay. Every now and then, the car would get a touch free off the wall, but it was manageable. It was extremely hard to break the bubble of the guy in front of you, so passing and track position were at a premium. I made contact with the No. 88 passing for the lead and spun through the grass. After we pitted for fresh tires, we restarted at the tail end of the field. Steadily we were able to move back towards the front, but the car would roll through the center of the corner fine and then stall down the straightaways. We were in a top 10 position on the final restart but had to try something different on green-white-checkered attempt if we wanted to win the race. Unfortunately, we didn’t get a hole to clear back up to the top lane after restarting on the bottom and a lot of track position was lost. We will learn from this weekend and adjust before coming back next season. On to Daytona International Speedway where Richard Childress Racing brings extremely fast Camaros.”

-Austin Hill