Ron Hornaday Finishes 21st After Early Incident at Iowa Speedway

NASCAR Truck Series – American Ethanol 200
July 11th, 2014 – Iowa Speedway

Ron Hornaday was off to a strong start in the American Ethanol 200, running in and around the top five for the first quarter of the 200-lap race and demonstrating he was a candidate for the win. However, an incident on lap 63 with another competitor caused significant damage to the No. 30 Rheem Comfort Products Chevrolet, relegating him to a 21st-place finish at Iowa Speedway.

After practicing in the top 15 in the day’s only practice session and earning a solid eighth-place starting spot, Hornaday quickly moved into the sixth spot after the drop of the green flag. The Rheem machine was good in the center of the turns and slightly loose on entry and exit, but the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series (NCWTS) veteran maintained his position through the first caution of the night on lap 40. Taking four tires and fuel, Hornaday broke into the top five and looked capable of picking off more spots. However, while fighting for the fifth spot, a competitor got into the side of the No. 30 on lap 62, causing left-front damage to Hornaday’s Silverado. Although damage was caused to both trucks, the caution flag did not wave until lap 63 when the same competitor got into Hornaday again. This time, the contact spun Hornaday’s Chevy, causing significant damage to his truck. Making multiple pit stops for repairs, Hornaday was scored four laps down in the 23rd position when the green flag waved on lap 67. Although able to continue, Hornaday struggled with tightness for the duration of the race. Regaining one lap by virtue of the wave around when the final caution waved on lap 127, Hornaday gained two positions in the remainder of the race, crossing the finish line 21st.

This was a tough one to swallow. I’m so grateful to my Turner Scott Motorsports crew for all the great trucks they’ve given me so far this year, and they gave me another one tonight. I lifted and thought I gave the No. 17 plenty of room out there, and that contact was really uncalled for. It’s unfortunate because we could have had a great night. I know the guys worked really hard; you work twice as hard on a night like this. I can’t thank Rheem, Steve Turner and Harry Scott enough for everything they’ve done for me this year. I’m really hoping we can make up for the points we lost tonight in Eldora. – Ron Hornaday Jr.

Start – 8, Finish – 21, Laps Led – 0, Points – 23