Kobyluck Fights For 16th Place Finish At Greenville
Greenville, S.C. (March 28, 2010): A disappointing qualifying effort set the stage for Saturday night’s NASCAR K&N Pro Series East opener for Matt Kobyluck and the Mohegan Sun Casino race team. Kobyluck had to start 25th in a 30-car field and battle his way through the field only to lose a tire at lap 113 and hit the wall in turn two. His determination gave him the momentum to salvage a 16th place finish in the Kevin Whitaker Chevrolet 150.
It wasn’t all an uphill battle though.
Kobyluck kicked off the day by topping the speed charts in the first practice session, but the No. 40 Mohegan Sun Casino Chevrolet didn’t get much track time in the second session.
“We had to replace a jack bolt, and it was stripped so it took longer than expected,” said Kobyluck.
The lack of track time showed in the team’s qualifying effort of 21.388 seconds. Kobyluck would have to start at the rear of the field.
At the drop of the green, Kobyluck began his procession through the field. He made it up to 12th when he lost a left rear tire and hit the wall in turn two. Kobyluck went to the pits where the Mohegan Sun team quickly changed it and set him back out, but at a half mile track, Kobyluck went two laps down.
The team could only hope for the cautions to keep coming so that he could get the free pass, a rule that allows the first car a lap down to regain their lap for the restart.
“We should have been back on the lead lap (at the finish),” said Kobyluck. “There were no cars a single lap down and I was the first car two laps down. NASCAR said the 8 car was ahead of me when she was actually behind me. She was involved in the wreck that brought the caution out so they didn’t give the free pass to anyone when we should have received it.”
Kobyluck did receive one free pass before the conclusion of the race – making him the first car a lap down in 16th place.
“It’s just frustrating to have a good car and come out of here with a finish like 16th,” said Kobyluck. “We’ll turn it around at South Boston – I’m confident of that. This was typical Greenville. It’s rough and you’ve got to survive.”
The K&N Pro Series East and driver Matt Kobyluck return to action Saturday, April 3 at South Boston Speedway.
For more information on Matt Kobyluck, the Mohegan Sun race team, or Mohegan Sun Casino, visit www.mattkobyluck.com.