“It’s good to be disappointed with 12th,” said Bayne after the race. “Our AdvoCare Ford was really good on the long runs but those are hard to come by with short track racing. I’m really proud of the effort from my team this weekend. We worked hard all weekend long and we got good result out of it. We’ll build off today and go get them next week in Michigan and see if we can make gains toward the Chase.”
Bayne took the green flag on Saturday evening from the 22nd position after advancing to the second round of knockout qualifying on Friday afternoon. With weather threatening all night, Bayne fought for position inside the top 25 before rain halted the 500-Lap event, forcing NASCAR to push the remainder of the race to Sunday afternoon.
After rain again delayed the restart of the event for more than three hours on Sunday, the race resumed on Lap 58 with Bayne in the 23rd position. Once back underway, the driver of the AdvoCare Ford reported to crew chief Matt Puccia that he was battling a tight-handling condition through the center of the corner. Despite the handling condition Bayne raced his way into the top 20 and up to 17th just past the halfway mark.
The Roush Fenway Racing driver maintained his track position inside the top 20 throughout much of the middle portion of the event, racing hard with teammates Ricky Stenhouse Jr. and Greg Biffle. Bayne continued his climb forward after narrowly avoiding a multi-car incident on Lap 372, racing into the top 10 and up to the sixth position before the caution came out once again on Lap 415.
Bayne took the ensuing restart from the 10th position after pitting for four tires and a chassis adjustment and continued to fight for track position, despite the tight-handling condition returning.
In the closing stages, Bayne would hold off a charge from Kasey Kahne to record a 12th-place finish.
Next up for the NSCS in Michigan International Speedway on Sunday, Aug. 28.
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