Roulette Recap follows a randomly selected 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.
Drive for the Cure 250
It was home race weekend for the NASCAR Xfinity Series as teams took to the Charlotte ROVAL. Leland Honeyman, Jr. was facing his third road course of the season and hoping for a better outcome. His Portland International Raceway effort ended in a crash with one to go, while at Road America, he had a four-lap-early exit due to transmission issues.
In the short practice session, Honeyman sat P28. Then, he was scored P26 in the modified qualifying session.
Prior to the start of the race, there was a lot of encouragement over the No. 45 radio. Crew chief Frank Kerr said, “This is a race we gotta finish. Be smart and be there at the end.”
One of Honeyman’s spotters and team co-owner, Tommy Joe Martins, said, “We’ve got a 23-lap race at the end. Learn all day and let’s be there at the end.”
During pace laps, Honeyman noted, “Crazy to think I used to race on the infield road course here years ago!” Martins responded, “Yeh, you’re in the big leagues now!”
Veteran spotter, Clayton Hughes reminded Honeyman of the new rule change – he needed to stay in line through the front chicane. With that, Honeyman thanked his team one more time and the race began.
Stage 1
Honeyman took advantage of the clean opening laps to settle in with the layout as well as learn the braking zones. Within three laps he was sitting P25.
Unfortunately, on the next lap, Alpha Prime Racing teammate Rajah Caruth wheel-hopped and pushed the No. 45. Honeyman slid through the back chicane and fell to P36.
Hughes calmed Honeyman, “Get back up to speed. It’s a long race.”
Martins also worked to settle the aggression, saying, “You don’t have to get it all back in one lap. Try to get one per lap.”
By Lap 8, Honeyman had gained back five spots and Martins continued to coach him through the corners and laps.
The field had quickly stretched out to single file, making passing difficult. However, with three to go, green flag pit stops began and Honeyman was able to work his way to P21. The stage ended with the young driver in P24.
He came over the radio, “What a hectic stage!” and let his team know how the handling was on his car.
Kerr let him know he was doing a good job, he just needed to be more consistent with lap times.
Stage 2
Honeyman came to his team for fuel, tires, and adjustments under caution and started the second stage in P26.
A three-wide restart once again fell to single file with minimal passing throughout the field. Honeyman hung out in the low 20s, continuing to gain knowledge and experience. Martins and Hughes continued to coach and encourage.
With eight to go, he claimed P26, and the track started to come to Honeyman. He quickly got around Blaine Perkins for P25 and set sail for Anthony Alfredo.
With three to go, green flag pit stops once again began which allowed Honeyman to gain 10 spots.
Honeyman was sitting P13 when the caution waved with two to go after Conor Daly spun out and slammed the wall hard in Turn 4.
The caution ended the stage and Honeyman updated his team regarding his handling, “The biggest thing is the drive off.”
Stage 3
Honeyman came to his team for fresh tires, fuel, and an air pressure adjustment. After a quick stop, Honeyman thanked his crew. Once returning to the track, he lined up P21 to start the final stage with 24 to go.
Kerr responded, “You know your brakes, you know your race car. Let’s be more consistent and catch these guys when they fall off.”
Honeyman fought some battles throughout the opening lap, but when the dust settled, he maintained P21.
With 18 to go, Honeyman missed the chicane and did a stop-and-go on the front stretch. He fell back to P30 and was told, “Settle in.”
Martins encouraged him, “We’re going to catch a caution and it’s not going to matter. Hit your marks.”
Before he could make much ground, NASCAR docked him with a penalty for not stopping and forced him to do a pass-through on pit road.
As he was exiting pit road, Hughes reminded him of his speed to avoid being docked a speeding penalty.
As Honeyman returned to track, the No. 08 of Stefan Parsons spun out and slammed the wall.
Unfortunately for Honeyman, Parsons got going and avoided the caution. With 15 to go, Honeyman was sitting P34.
Three laps later, Honeyman yelled, “Thank the Lord!” as the caution waved for debris. He was sitting P34, on the lead lap, but 52 seconds behind the leader.
Martins reminded Hughes they would have Playoff drivers around them who would “wreck anyone” to advance to the next round.
10 to Go
The entire field took to pit road under caution and Honeyman’s team gave him fresh tires and filled him up with fuel. He returned to track in P31 with eight to go.
As soon as the green waved, the caution came out for a pileup in Turn 1. Honeyman avoided the chaos and held his spot. After a quick track clean-up, he came to the restart with five to go in P29. A clean restart saw him maintain his position.
Honeyman took advantage of drivers around him battling issues and worked his way to P26. However, despite the issues, the race stayed green and Honeyman continued to fight till the finish.
As Honeyman hit P25, Martins said, “Do not waste any time. If you need to use the bumper, use it.”
He gained one more spot coming to the final lap. Once he took the white flag, he had to work around a wounded Kyle Weatherman.
As Sam Mayer took the checkered flag and locked himself into the next round of the Playoffs, Honeyman brought home his No. 45 Camaro in P21.
Kerr thanked his team and said, “We overcame some adversity. Hopefully we learn from it.”
An elated Honeyman replied, “Thank you Frank and Tommy, and Clayton! Thank you, everybody!”
Sponsor Shoutout
As NASCAR fans know, sponsors make the sport go ’round. We want to give a shoutout to Eighth Order who was a huge part of the weekend for Leland and the No. 45 team.
Be sure to give Leland Honeyman (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter) and Alpha Prime Racing (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter) a follow to keep up with the latest news from the driver and team.
