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.
Tennessee Lottery 250
For the first time since the 2022 NASCAR Xfinity season finale, Mason Massey found himself back behind the wheel in the Xfinity Series. Qualifying P31 at Nashville Superspeedway, Massey was piloting the No. 08 Ford Mustang for SS Green Light Racing.
Coming to the green flag, Massey thanked his team for the hard work they put in ahead of the weekend. He also noted how happy he was for the opportunity to drive the No. 08 and to work with crew chief Jason Miller again. Before settling in, he said, “I’ll do my best. Let’s have a good run!”
Stage 1
It would be a wild welcome back for Massey. As the race went green, it immediately went yellow. A five-car incident out of Turn 2 slowed the action before it had a chance to get started.
However, this would play in Massey’s favor. It allowed him to move up to P28 to restart on Lap 9. What looked like a clean restart turned crazy again. The No. 21 of Austin Hill got loose and went spinning. Unfortunately, Massey received minor damage and radioed in that he felt like the toe was out.
Crew chief Jason Miller to him, “There’s grass on the nose and it’s pushed in on the right front, just a little.” He came to his crew from P29 to check the damage and make needed repairs.
Lap 15 brought the next restart with Massey in P37 as he was assessed with a penalty for too many crew members over the wall.
The green waved and he was immediately in the middle of a three-wide situation. Over the next three laps, he worked his way to P25. Then, the next caution came.
He noted he needed to be “freed up” a little and maybe run higher on the track. Miller encouraged his driver to not use this most recent run as a gauge. The team opted to stay on track and restart P29 on Lap 22, with a fourth attempt at a long(er) green-flag run.
First Lengthy Green-Flag Run
Within a lap, Massey gained two spots and found another spot a lap later. Over the next few laps, he shuffled positions with surrounding cars. He fell to P32 by Lap 28 as he worked to find his groove and momentum.
With 10 to go, he told his team, “I’m really tight, especially off the corner,” so they could prepare a plan for the stage break. He maintained P32 but was asked to change lanes to see if he gained speed in the closing laps of the stage.
Finally, the crazy opening stage ended, and Massey sat P31.
He told his crew chief, “I just need a little help off the corner. It’s like 1.5 out of 5 tight.” They opted to pit on the second time by to avoid any pit road chaos. And, as an encouragement to the young driver, he was told, “We’re not that far off [in speed] from the next 10 [cars] in front of us.”
Stage 2
He came to his team not only for adjustments, fuel, and fresh tires but also for a plan of attack for the second stage.
Massey sat P31 on Lap 53, and all hoped for a quieter start to this shorter stage. But, that would not be the case.
The leaders got loose and took out numerous cars throughout the field. Massey told his team, “I barely got hit and went through the grass there.”
Miller came over the radio, “We’re going to have a good day if we can miss all these wrecks!”
Problems Arise
Immediately, Massey’s water temp was skyrocketing. He attempted to clean off his grille by riding the bumper of the car in front of him. Unfortunately, that did not work and he was forced to hit pit road for assistance from his team.
As soon as he was back on track, Massey radioed in again and said, “I just lost all my voltage.”
The team worked to diagnose and resolve the issue, but it would take another trip to pit road to check the alternator and battery.
Massey hit the track with hopes that the issue would resolve, but he radioed in, “All the gauges are dying now. It still has power and throttle, but all the gauges and tach are gone.”
He restarted P32 on Lap 60. Milled asked spotter TJ Bell, Jr. for an update, and Bell said, “Oh, we’re passing cars!”
One lap later, the caution waved again and Massey confirmed his motor was still running, he just had no gauges – or cool box, on a 92-degree day.
Massey was told, “Run it till it dies.”
Unfortunately, that time came sooner than later. Just before the action restarted, Massey told his crew, “It’s sputtering real bad!”
He returned to pit road so his team could do a hands-on diagnosis. He was still on pit road when the race resumed on Lap 66.
Miller told Massey to go and all Massey could say was, “It ain’t doing nothing.”
The work continued as the caution flew again, which was fortunate for Massey who sat seven laps down.
Garage Repairs
His team had to head to the garage where the issue was resolved. With fingers crossed, power restored, and some semblance of cool air, Massey opted to “just ride behind these guys” in P32, down 10 laps through the closing laps of the second stage.
With six to go, he informed his team the voltage was hovering “about 11.5” and he was experiencing some “brake shake.” He said, “I’m just going to be easy on the brake pedal for now.”
The close of the stage saw Massey in P32, noting, “During the last few laps, the brakes started to get better.” But, the team also realized the battery was not charging. After some on-track experimenting, it was determined the alternator was likely not working.
Stage Break Scheming
During the stage break, the No. 08 team opted to stay on track and gain a lap back. Additionally, they worked out a game plan for the remainder of the race which included charging extra batteries that might be needed.
Miller said, “There’s no perfect scenario, I just want to get as many laps back as we can, especially if we have to come back in and change the battery. I don’t want the (No.) 92 to catch us. He’s the only one behind us.”
Stage 3
With a plan in place, it was time to restart the action. There were 91 laps remaining, and Massey would start from the tail-end of the field to avoid any carnage with fresher tires.
Drivers took their cars three-wide throughout the field, and shortly after (Lap 104), the caution waved again.
During this break in the action, Massey came to pit road to fuel the machine and add fresh tires. At the time of caution, Massey was scored in the Lucky Dog spot and gained a lap back.
Lap 110 brought the next restart and a long green flag run. This allowed the field to stretch out for only the second time in the 188-lap race.
Despite being eight laps down, Massey was having to be on his toes. Behind him, Josh Williams, who was 19 laps down, was trying to help his teammate, Chad Chastain.
Lap 127 brought the start of green-flag pit stops and a bit of shake-up to the field. Fortunately for Massey, his alternator issues seemed to be under control at this point.
Massey’s team let the stops cycle out, and he pitted from P32 with 20 laps remaining. Those 20 laps, unlike the first 20, remained green – until five laps remained. At this point, Chastain went sliding through the grass and brought out the caution.
Knowing that the upcoming restart would be “a mess,” the team discussed laying back and leaving room for a wad-up.
Massey noted his voltage was about the same, but noted he had not been using his A/C. He requested a wet rag as soon as he was out of the car.
Despite being 10 laps down and battling electrical gremlins, Massey was really happy with the handling of his car.
NASCAR Overtime
Massey stayed on track and restarted P32, looking at NASCAR Overtime. Coming out of Turn 2, the caution came out after drivers attempted to go four-wide, and ultimately, failed.
Attempt number two saw a clean start but the racing was still three- and four-wide.
The checkered flag finally waved and Massey told his team, “I lost all my gauges as I crossed the line.” A long day finally came to a close with Massey scored P32.
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 Mason Massey and the No. 08 team:
HUMBL and BRUNT Workwear
