Tim George Jr. Escapes Wreck to Finish 21st at Daytona

A veteran of both the ARCA Racing Series and Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car Series racing at Daytona International Speedway, Tim George Jr. added the NASCAR Nationwide Series to his racing resume at the legendary high-banked superspeedway scoring a 21st  place finish driving the No. 21 Applebee’s/Potomac Family Dining Group Chevrolet in the Subway Jalapeno 250 on July 2.

Making his first NNS appearance since April, George started the 250 mile/100 lap event from the 16th position in front of a crowd estimated at just over 50,000. As the lone Richard Childress Racing entry in the 43-car field, George spent much of the race seeking out a drafting partner to take part in the popular two-car "tandem" drafting style now characteristic of restrictor-plate NASCAR racing.

Early in the race, he slipped back in the running order but noted to his team that the Applebee’s Impala was quite fast, even when running without a drafting partner.

The first caution flag of the race fell on lap 25 and the Gere Kennon-led team brought George onto pit road for four tires and fuel. George restarted 27th on lap 30 and made it to as high as 14th in the running order by lap 38 after picking up Mike Wallace's No. 01 entry as a drafting partner.

George continued to run anywhere from 12th to 30th , going a lap down to the race leaders during the middle portion of the race while he searched for a consistent drafting partner. As the caution flag waved with 10 laps to go, George found himself in position to earn NASCAR's “Lucky Dog” award and get back on the lead lap.

When the race restarted, he was scored in 25th position with seven laps remaining. While final laps were unfolding, the racing became more unpredictable and as the field drove to the checkers, a large pileup occurred in the last turn and George was able to maneuver his way around the incident, which occurred in front of him and post a 21st-place result.

"We learned a lot at Daytona this go around,” said George. “Racing in the NASCAR Nationwide Series raises my game because I’m surrounded by some of the best drivers in the sport.

“The No. 21 Applebee's / Potomac Family Dining Group team did a great job giving me a fast car. I think we earned some respect, so if NASCAR decides to keep this two-car draft we should be in good shape. I'm looking forward to the opposite extreme next week - grass roots short track racing - ARCA style!"


(timgeorgejr.com)