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.
Alsco 300
Rain was the name of the game at Charlotte Motor Speedway. After postponing the NASCAR Xfinity Series race from Saturday afternoon to Monday morning because of persistent rain, it still took two red flags in the action to determine the winner.
Blaine Perkins was hitting the 1.5-mile track for the first time in the NXS. After a P36 placement in the lone practice session, the Our Motorsports driver qualified P35.
Stage 1 (and Two Red Flags)
Heading to the green flag, there was already talk of rain moving into the area. As the mist started to fall, Perkins lost two spots as he tentatively worked his way around the track.
On Lap 8, Perkins told his crew he was “terrible over the bumps.” Twelve laps later at the competition caution, he would have the opportunity to share more about what he was feeling.
That caution came at the perfect time as he had just been lapped by the race leaders. He explained in a bit more detail the handling of his No. 02 Warrior Health Foundation Chevy Camaro and came to his team for adjustments, fuel, and fresh tires.
While he was fortunate to be in the Lucky Dog spot, he immediately had to pit road again. This time, with the entire Xfinity Series field as the rain started to come down harder and the red flag was displayed.
During the rain delay, his team came up with a game plan. Once racing resumed, he made gains – moving from P35 on Lap 31 to P32 eight laps later.
One lap later, as the rain started to fall again, Perkins declared, “This is stupid.”
The soggy, opening stage ended with Perkins in P33. He noted he was “not as tight” and his car was “a lot better.” The No. 02 team would have plenty of time to think about what to tackle next as the skies opened and the race was postponed even further.
Stage 2
Nearly eleven hours after the race originally went green, the Alsco 300 went back to green on lap 56 with Perkins sitting P30. And with it, vastly different conditions.
A track that was green earlier in the day now had 600 miles of rubber laid down. Sort of. The Cup race experienced a red flag for rain early on in the Coca-Cola 600. But also, a cloudy and cool morning had turned to a mostly clear evening.
Perkins lost four spots on the opening laps as he worked to reacquaint himself and his car with the track. His spotter, Eric Holmes, did a phenomenal job letting him know where other drivers were finding the most grip and speed.
Perkins, frustrated, yelled over the radio, “I just suck over these damn bumps in (Turns) 3 and 4.”
The calming voice of his crew chief, Dan Stillman, came on the radio letting him know they would work on it as soon as they could.
With 11 to go in the stage, Perkins was lapped awaiting much-needed adjustments. Stage 2 came to a close with Perkins in P34.
He told his team, “Just tight again, center off. Really struggling over the bumps. I feel like I’m okay in 1 and 2, but I absolutely suck in 3 and 4.”
Stage 3
After getting fresh tires, fuel, and adjustments, Perkins returned to the track in P31, down a lap, on lap 98. He would be racing nine other cars for the Lucky Dog.
As he gained a position two laps later, he was encouraged by Holmes, telling him he was doing much better over the bumps. Holmes was also giving advice on what Perkins needed to try as he continued to learn this new-to-him track.
With 73 to go, the caution flew as Sam Mayer spun and hit the wall. Perkins was sitting P32, down two laps, and updated his team, saying, “Got over the bumps a little better, but tight center off.”
Stillman said they would do “more of the same” on the next stop, working to set the young driver up for a solid finish.
Perkins restarted P35 with 67 laps remaining. Within 15 laps, green flag pit stops began which shuffled the leaderboard.
With 36 laps to go, Perkins yelled over his radio, “We’re blowing up! Water temp’s through the roof!”
Stillman gave instructions for his driver to bring the car in and for the team to pop the hood. However, before any work could be done, Stillman said, “We’re done.”
This was an unfortunate end to a night where Perkins had 31 laps left to continue to learn.
Race to Remember
Blaine had US Navy SEAL CMDR Robert “Bobby” Ramirez III riding above the door of his No. 02 Chevy Camaro on Memorial Day.
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 Blaine Perkins and the No. 02 team:
Warrior Health Foundation
Be sure to give Blaine Perkins (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter) and Our Motorsports (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter) a follow to keep up with the latest news from the driver and team.
