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.
DoorDash 250
As the NASCAR Xfinity Series prepared to take on Sonoma Raceway for the first time ever, Josh Bilicki was ready to put to work the knowledge of his three previous NASCAR Cup Series starts at the California road course.
In the lone practice session, Bilicki sat P17 and qualified his No. 36 SBC Contractors, Inc. Chevy Camaro P25.
Stage 1
Finally, the green flag waved and fans were treated to a clean start at Sonoma. After going three-wide through the esses on the opening lap, Bilicki moved up to P22. He gained one more spot and sat one position ahead of teammate, Josh Williams.
On Lap 7, his crew chief, Dexter Bean asked for an update on the car. Bilicki had one word, “Tight.”
However, despite being “really tight,” Bilicki gained another spot on Lap 10.
In the closing laps of the opening stage, Cole Custer had Bilicki’s No. 36 in his sights. With nine to go, Bilicki would get passed by Custer, putting him back in P21.
After settling back in, he radioed in to stay, “Still tight. I need more drive off.”
With five to go, Parker Retzlaff had issues and fell back, allowing Bilicki to jump back to P20. As the No. 20 of John Hunter Nemechek went for a spin with two to go, Bilicki was nearly able to snag a few more spots, but Nemechek held on.
However, Bilicki would do the same.
Then, as the No. 8 of Josh Berry came to a stop in the middle of the track, Bilicki would be scored P17 at the stage end.
Stage 2
A caution for Berry allowed Bilicki to head to his team for four fresh tires, fuel, and those much-needed adjustments.
Bean told his crew, “Let’s have a nice clean stop here. The pay window is at the end of the race.” Awaiting the restart, Bean went on to encourage his driver regarding the adjustments made and what he saw before the end of the stage.
Bilicki would line up for the start of the second stage in P19 which would get going on Lap 27.
A bit of a dust-up through the esses made things exciting on the restart and Bilicki lost a position to Williams. Somehow, everyone made it through and as the opening lap came to a close, Bilicki had gained his spot back.
The next few laps brought some shuffling and back-and-forth with surrounding drivers, but Bilicki settled in at P19 through the middle stage.
On Lap 11 of the stage (31/79), Bilicki let his team know he was still tight and that the adjustments did not help.
With 10 to go in the stage, Bilicki was passed by both Daniel Suarez and Alex Labbe, putting him back to P20. Bean had given some suggestions for Bilicki to try, but after checking with him, the driver said, “Negative. That did not help at all.”
Once again, the No. 36 DGM Racing team would have to see if they would be saved by a late-stage caution in order to make more adjustments.
The green-white-checkered flag waved as the stage came to a close. Bilicki was scored P19 as green flag stops began.
Stage 3
At the start of the final stage, Bean told his driver, “I need another good, five laps out of you here, Josh.”
Hoping for a caution, the No. 36 stayed on track. Bilicki worked his way to P4 before coming to his crew for the final scheduled stop with 30 to go.
After getting tires, fuel, and adjustments, Bilicki cycled out P22.
With 24 to go, Bilicki noted, “Doesn’t feel bad. Feels like that helped. Still tight, but feels like it helped.” He was still sitting P22, but had a 20-car lead on the No. 26 of Kaz Grala in P23.
With 22 to go, Bilicki zeroed in on the No. 44 of Sage Karam and was able to pass him and pull away.
The No. 17 of Kyle Larson had pulled ahead with a 13-second lead on the field, but with 19 to go, there was a full-course caution as the No. 45 of Jeffrey Earnhardt spun and slammed into the wall.
Bilicki said, “That adjustment helped, but not enough. I’m still tight…pretty much everywhere.” Bean opted to pit with the field with 18 to go for tires and fuel.
Final Restart
Bilicki cycled out P24 with 15 to go. After sending his driver back out, Bean said, “Alright, Josh. You got what you got!”
The leaders went four-wide through the esses but, once again, came through without incident. Bilicki worked his way to P20 in the chaos, but after everything shook out, he settled into P22.
Ahead of him, the No. 9 of Brandon Jones went for a wild spin after contact with the No. 27 of Jeb Burton, but the race stayed green. This incident propelled Bilicki back to P20.
With nine laps remaining, Bilicki moved to P19 and had a full-second lead over DGM Racing teammate, Ross Chastain in the No. 91.
The final laps were calm and quiet for the No. 36 team and Bilicki claimed a P19 finish.
During the cool-down lap, Bilicki thanked his team and DGM Racing for the opportunity stating, “That was a lot of fun!”
Sponsor Shoutout
As NASCAR fans know, sponsors make the sport go ’round. We want to give a shoutout to a few that were a huge part of the weekend for Josh Bilicki and the No. 36 team:
SBC Contractors, Pacific Coast Termite Inc., Palmer Signs Inc., and The BOSS
Be sure to give Josh Bilicki (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter) and DGM Racing (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter) a follow to keep up with the latest news from the driver and team.
I try to buy sponsor products that are available in the stores where I stop. I appreciate them sponsoring.