Tangled in Traffic, Joyce Ends Night at Newport in 17th
Newport, Tenn. (June 18, 2012)-The UARA-STARS tour made its first of two trips in three weeks to Newport Speedway on Saturday night for the Jeff's Auto Sales 150. Short track racing on the high banked oval produced several challenges for Cory Joyce and the No. 20 Kabang Energy Candy/LandAirSea team, including an engine issue during practice and tight racing situations all weekend. A tangle in lapped traffic with just 25 laps remaining cost Joyce a chance at a solid night and left him with a wrecked race car in 17th place.
Troubles began just 15 laps into the practice session on Friday afternoon when Joyce began to feel a motor issue that would cut his day short. Receiving a replacement engine from Charlotte, North Carolina late Friday night, the Cory Joyce Racing crew worked into the early hours of Saturday morning to complete the engine change and get Joyce ready for practice and qualifying on Saturday. Their efforts paid off as Joyce was able to complete practice and qualify in the 17th spot for the 150-lap feature.
Joyce maneuvered successfully through the first three quarters of the event with no issues, looking to escape the Tennesee short track unscathed. Unfortunately, the night of clean racing came to an end on lap 125, when Joyce attempted to make a pass on two competitors in lapped traffic. He was bumped by another car and forced to get on the brakes right with the leaders close behind him, causing a chain reaction as cars began to run into the back of each other. The No. 20 Kabang Energy Candy/LandAirSea Impala was badly wounded and Joyce was not able to continue, handing the rookie a 17th place finish.
"We were just trying to stay out of trouble and ended up getting caught up in some heavy traffic," Joyce said. "I was trying to make a pass on the inside and got pinched down. I hate that the leaders got caught up in the accident too, but after the initial contact I was just along for the ride.
"I really hate it for our team because we worked so hard after our engine issue on Friday to get our Kabang Energy Candy/LandAirSea Chevy back on the track, and now we're going to have to pull a lot of long hours this entire week just to get the car back in shape and ready in time for Hickory on Saturday."
Race Highlights:
Cory Joyce made his first start at Newport Speedway on Saturday night for the UARA-STARS Jeff's Auto Sales 150.
During practice on Friday afternoon, Joyce sensed an engine problem in his No. 20 Kabang Energy Candy/LandAirSea Chevy, forcing the team to make an engine swap before Saturday night.
While attempting to complete a pass in lapped traffic, Joyce was bumped by another competitor in front of the leaders, causing a chain reaction that sent Joyce to the garage in 17th place. Roger Powell claimed the victory, with Trey Marcham and Darrick Coomer rounding out the top three.
The UARA-STARS tour will make its second trip this season to Hickory Motor Speedway on Saturday, June 23rd.
Media Contact:
Kirby Johnson
Public Relations Manager
Cory Joyce Racing
176 C Knob Hill Rd
Mooresville, NC 28117
608.289.8919
kirby@coryjoyceracing.com
Cory Joyce Fan Page
Cory Joyce Racing Twitter
Photos by Drew Heiwarter
