Roulette Recap follows a randomly-selected NASCAR Xfinity Series driver throughout a race and recaps their efforts. The driver could face calamity on lap one or start from the rear and win the race – there is no telling ahead of time. With that, may the odds be ever in the driver’s favor.
The NASCAR Xfinity Series headed to Texas for the first road course of the 2023 season. This visit would mark the first time Jeffery Earnhardt would qualify for Circuit of the Americas. Additionally, this would be the first time in two years that the seasoned veteran raced on a road course. The Alpha Prime Racing driver lined up P36 but was forced to drop to the rear with 12 other drivers before the green flag due to unapproved adjustments.
Two notable changes awaited drivers in Austin. First, there would be no cautions at the stage breaks. Secondly, the Choose Rule would be in effect for the race.
Stage 1
Once drivers took the green flag and headed up the hill into turn 1, a massive jam-up shuffled the front of the field. Fortunately, having to start so far back afforded Earnhardt the opportunity to avoid collecting any damage early on.
Ultimately, drivers were stretched single file by lap 3. From there, Earnhardt focused on learning the track and figuring out the handling of his No. 45 Gas Pos Chevrolet Camaro. He settled into P36 until his teammate, Sage Karam, lost a cylinder and dropped behind him.
Halfway through the opening stage, Earnhardt had claimed one more spot. He was quiet on the radio while his team of spotters kept him updated on penalties and traffic.
Lap eight brought the first caution for a car stalled on the track. This found Earnhardt sitting P35. He told his team he had “no side bite” and was “just sliding through the esses.”
Earnhardt brought his car to pit road for adjustments and restarted P30 with five laps to go in the opening stage with instructions to, “Focus out front.”
In the closing laps of stage 1, crew chief, Frank Kerr, informed his driver what he was seeing on track and where Earnhardt could improve. The stage break scored Earnhardt in P31.
Stage 2
The second stage started with a few drivers hitting the pits under green. Meanwhile, Earnhardt’s team opted to stay on track and gain some position. Lap 17 brought the next caution as the No. 50 of Preston Pardus stalled on the track.
Kerr called his driver to his pit stall from P24 for fuel, tires, an air pressure adjustment, and minor repairs.
Coming off pit road, Earnhardt was tagged with a speeding penalty. As a result, this bumped him to the tail end of the longest line. He restarted P30 with 10 laps left in the second stage.
A huge dust-up in turn 1 on the restart once again shuffled the field. Earnhardt took advantage of this moment. As he avoided a number of spun cars, he gained four spots. He gained another position as Brandon Jones had debris falling from his car resulting in a caution.
During the yellow, Earnhardt told Kerr he felt like his car was sliding out from under him and he was trying to figure out how to “smooth it all out.”
With nine to go in the second stage, Earnhardt restarted P24. Thankfully, drivers made it through turn 1 without incident.
Throughout the next few laps, Earnhardt lost ground and dropped two spots. With five to go, he had lost two more. His spotter encouraged him to keep at it because he knew the leaders were “not done wrecking up front.”
With three to go, the caution flew again as Brett Moffitt stalled on track. Once again, Kerr called Earnhardt in for adjustments, tires, and fuel.
Coming to the restart, Kerr told his driver, “That’s it. We won’t see you again. Keep it safe.”
Earnhardt restarted P29 with one lap remaining in the second stage. As a few drivers had issues throughout the field, Earnhardt took advantage of their misfortune and came to the green-white-checkered in P27 under caution after Cole Custer was stuck in the gravel.
Learning from Lally
Earnhardt was fortunate to have veteran road racer Andy Lally in his ear for COTA. During pace laps throughout the race, the two talked about what Earnhardt was feeling and some changes Lally would like to see him make.
Stage 3
Kerr encouraged his driver under caution, “Alright man. You got stickers and better brakes than most of ‘em. Let’s go get ‘em here.”
Earnhardt lined up for the restart in P23 with 14 laps left in the Pit Boss 250. Lally continued to coach Earnhardt throughout the closing laps concerning what he needed to see from him coming into and out of turns while Earnhardt held steady at P27.
Adversity for a few drivers and some smooth navigating saw Earnhardt bring his No. 45 Camaro home P25. Although it was not a glamorous finish, it was a learning experience with an incredible coach in Lally helping him throughout the 3.426-mile road course.
Finally, taking the checkered flag, Earnhardt thanked his team for their hard work and noted, “I gotta get better at these tracks.”
Sponsor Shoutout
As NASCAR fans know, sponsors make the sport go ’round. We want to give a shoutout to a few of those that were part of the weekend for Jeffrey Earnhardt and the No. 45 team:
Gas Pos and Forever Lawn
Be sure to give Jeffrey Earnhardt (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter) and Alpha Prime Racing (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter) a follow to keep up with the latest news from the driver and team.
Thank you. This was interesting.