It was an early exit for the No. 77 Kodak/Jasper Racing team at Pocono Raceway. After struggling with handling conditions in the early laps, Brendan Gaughan admittedly made a rookie mistake and missed a shift causing the engine to give way, ending the day and posting a 39th-place finish on lap 59.
Gaughan, who struggled during the practice sessions Friday and Saturday, qualified 31st for his first outing at the Pennsylvania track. Ready to put the weekend behind him, Gaughan climbed into his machine and prepared to complete the 200-lap event. Shane Wilson discussed his expectations for the event during the pre-race team meeting.
"It has been a rough weekend for all of us, but we have worked hard," he told them. "Don't stop now. We just need to get through to the checkered flag, and we can move on to the [Virginia International Raceway] test and Michigan. Just remember, we have come this far. Just stick with our plan and we may be able to turn the 31st starting position into a top-20 finish."
Gaughan made his first pit stop for adjustments under green-flag conditions on lap 35. He received a chassis adjustment along with four tires and fuel. Gaughan returned to the track and reported back to Wilson that the handling had not improved. In an effort to establish the root of the handling issue Gaughan was experiencing, Wilson instructed the pit crew to reverse the chassis adjustment on the next stop, which they did under yellow flag conditions on lap 53.
The field took the green flag on lap 55 and Gaughan was posted in the 29th position, the first car one lap down. Shortly after reporting back to the team on lap 58 that the car was tight entering the turns but loose exiting them, Gaughan missed the shift.
Climbing from the car back in the garage, Gaughan said, "I made a rookie mistake. I missed the shift. These Penske-Jasper Engines are strong, but they can't handle that type of mistake. We'll just move forward from here."
Had a busy weekend and didn't get to see the race, AGAIN!!
Some frustration lately but I'm still holding out hope. Like you said in a previous post I think he has the talent to succeed. Just trying to be patient.
If I recall correctly JG blew a win at Pocono a few years ago by missing a shift on a restart. Didn't blow the engine, but, maybe he got lucky.
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