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.
A-Game 200
Kyle Weatherman jumped in the No. 02 for Our Motorsports at Dover Motor Speedway. Weatherman was filling in for Blaine Perkins who had a scary wreck at Talladega the previous weekend.
While Weatherman was behind the wheel, Perkins was on the minds of everyone affiliated with the organization.
Practice and qualifying for the A-Game 200 was rained out, forcing Weatherman to roll off P35 for his 90th NASCAR Xfinity Series start.
In five previous starts at the mile-long concrete track, Weatherman’s best finish was P22 (2021).
Prior to the green flag, Weatherman told his team, “It’s been an emotional week…a lot of stress and worry. Let’s put it aside and have a good weekend. I’ll do my best behind the wheel.”
Stage 1
Weatherman had worked his way to P26 when the first caution flew on lap 6 for the No. 51 of Jeremy Clements. This gave an opportunity for Weatherman to update his team on the handling. While he had some minor concerns, his crew chief, Dan Stillman opted to stay on track.
It is worth noting, Weatherman was dubbed the biggest mover, having gained 10 spots in the opening laps.
The restart on lap nine had Weatherman sitting in P25. He shuffled around the mid-20s while earning a significant amount of TV time for his sponsors.
On lap 20, the competition caution came right as the No. 78 of Anthony Alfredo hit the wall.
Weatherman noted he was “free overall” and came to his team for adjustments, fuel, and fresh tires. He restarted P19 on lap 25, while teams and fans kept one eye on the skies.
It was a quiet remainder of the opening stage and Weatherman brought it to the green-white-checkered flag in P16.
While he was still feeling free on entry, Weatherman was told he had “really good lap times.” Given the option to pit or stay on track, he felt he “could manage” if no changes were made.
Stillman said, “We should be the leader if we stay.” He asked spotter Eric Holmes his thoughts and he agreed and was on board with the strategic call. Stillman responded, “10-4! Let’s stay!”
If you’re near Dover Downs (aka Bally’s Dover Casino Resort), why not gamble a little?
Stage 2
Weatherman lined up P1 to start the second stage with the stage 1 winner, Ryan Truex, to his inside. He was told, “Get a good launch!”
Unfortunately, he quickly lost three spots to those drivers with fresh tires. While a three-wide battle was happening behind him, he was able to put some ground behind him.
The 16th lap of the stage brought more fresh tires past him and he fell to P6. Despite the loss of position, he was encouraged by his spotter to keep up the great work.
Two laps later, Weatherman was saved by the caution flag as pole-sitter Parker Kligerman wrecked on the backstretch.
Weatherman radioed in, “Handles better out front!” He updated Stillman on what he was feeling and his crew chief opted to keep him on track.
He restarted his No. 02 Larry’s Hard Lemonade P6 with 21 to go in stage 2. He lost two spots on the restart, then five more spots in the subsequent laps.
With 15 to go, the difference between new and old tires started to show as Weatherman lost positions almost as quickly as the laps ticked by.
Weatherman finished stage 2 in P21. He updated his crew on the handling and was informed he would be getting adjustments, and possibly more importantly, fresh and “equal” tires.
Stage 3
His team got him back on track to start the final stage in P23. But, only two laps into the stage, Sheldon Creed went for a spin bringing out the caution. Weatherman was forced to jump down to the apron to avoid the No. 2.
Weatherman restarted P21 on Lap 106, and within nine laps, had gained four spots. He fell to P19 but then had a nice battle with Ryan Sieg to jump back to P18 with 66 to go.
Holmes informed Weatherman that he was running “top-10 lap times.” And, as the leaders battled lapped traffic, Weatherman started to inch his way forward.
With 52 to go, Weatherman was battling the previous week’s winner, Jeb Burton, for position. Two laps later, as talk of green-flag stops began, Weatherman grabbed P16.
Once those stops began, Weatherman gained a few more spots and was the last car on the lead lap. As soon as the leader passed him with 33 to go, Weatherman followed him onto pit road.
Weatherman cycled out P20, down two laps awaiting green flag stops and varying strategies to shake out.
With 13 to go, Weatherman was sitting P14, still down two laps. However, with nine to go, Weatherman gained back a lap.
As the checkered flag waved, Weatherman brought home the No. 02 Larry’s Hard Lemonade Chevy Camaro P14 for his first top-15 finish of the season.
Post-Race Comments:
After an update and ‘well done’ from his crew chief, he commended his team, saying, “Good job, guys! Good job pit crew, everybody!”
His spotter chimed in, “That was fun!”
Sponsor Shoutout
As NASCAR fans know, sponsors make the sport go ’round. We want to give a shoutout to one that was a huge part of the weekend for Kyle Weatherman and the No. 02 team:
The Original Larry’s Hard Lemonade
Be sure to give Kyle Weatherman (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter) and Our Motorsports (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter) a follow to keep up with the latest news from the driver and team.
