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.
Baptist Health Cancer Center 200
While he normally runs Modifieds, Spencer Davis made his 33rd NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series start at Homestead-Miami Speedway. His one other 2023 start came at Kansas Speedway where he had an early exit following a suspension issue.
Davis looked to better his season-average finish in the Baptist Health 200.
After six laps in practice he sat P29 and qualified one spot better. Unfortunately, he had to start from the rear after some unapproved adjustments.
Stage 1
To add insult to injury, as Davis took the green flag, his truck unexpectedly shut off. He limped it to pit road to address the issue. He informed his crew chief, Craig Roper, “I had fuel pressure. I think it’s an electrical or mechanical issue.”
Lap 7 saw Davis return to the track. Roper said, “There was nothing obvious. We just wiggled some wires.”
With a significant distance between Davis and the pack, spotter Keith Lord encouraged him to “get in a rhythm and see what we can learn.”
In the subsequent laps, Davis continued experiencing the shut off. He noted that when it happened, it would take upwards of three-quarters of a lap to get power back.
On Lap 22, Davis radioed his team, “I’m losing RPMs down the straightaway. I think we’re blowing up.”
He came back to pit road, but once the team got the No. 04 Ford F-150 refired, he was assessed with a speeding penalty.
Before too much more damage could be done, the stage came to an end with Davis sitting P34, down eight laps.
Stage 2
Davis updated his team on pressures and temperatures, noting that other than the splitter, “The truck drives really good!”
Roper said, “Before the fuel issue, you were running top 16 lap times!” Davis came to his team for fresh tires, fuel, and some massive adjustments and attention.
Following a lengthy but productive pit stop, he returned to the track in P34, down nine laps, but kept his team up-to-date on gauges, as well as what he was hearing and feeling.
Stage 2 began on Lap 40, but the No. 04 team could not maintain speed.
Davis returned to pit road and his team went behind the wall to deeper assess the issues. Ten laps later, Roper said, “I guess if you want to go back out we can try it.” Davis was more than happy to do so.
As Davis returned to the track, the caution came as the No. 12 of Spencer Boyd stalled on track. With six to go, the No. 04 team used the opportunity to swap out batteries in hopes of keeping pace with the field despite the trouble.
The final stage came to a close with Davis still in the pits, which afforded the team a few more minutes to get the truck in working order.
As Davis returned to the track, he updated Roper on battery volts, noting that running on one seemed to working better than running on two. Roper said, “Well, if you can run on one, go for it.”
Stage 3
Without a doubt, the Roper Racing Team was down, but not out. Knowing a wild restart was coming, Davis said, “I’ll just drop to the back on this restart. We need to finish this. That’s the main thing.”
Before the restart, Davis lost his dash. He flipped back to both batteries and it came back. Davis had found a workaround to some of the trouble he was experiencing.
The Stage 3 restart came with 67 to go and Davis sitting P34. The caution immediately waved as the No. 13 of Hailie Deegan got into the No. 9 of Colby Howard.
Davis had laid back because he “figured they’d wreck,” and quickly updated Roper on his truck.
The two were on the same page for the game plan: Stay out of the way, keep eyes forward, and run it “as long as she will go.”
Under caution, Davis said, “I might have lied to y’all. The truck is actually cooler than the modified.” He talked about the layout of the cockpit and how much more sun comes in a modified, adding, “Miami doesn’t compare to Mobile in the middle of summer!”
The next restart came with 60 to go and Davis noted the dash was out again. As trucks fanned out three- and four-wide, the race stayed green and the No. 04 team awaited word from Davis.
With 58 to go, Roper radioed to Davis, stating, “Best lap of the day.” Likely some much needed encouragement after a draining 76 laps.
Once lap later, the No. 22 of Mason Maggio went for a spin. The caution waved and Davis updated his team that his dash was still out and he was “just trying.” Roper said, “Keep going till it gives up on us. But, surprisingly, those last two laps were fastest of the race.”
Davis shared he was a bit more comfortable driving it hard into the corners now. Since they were nearing their fuel window, Roper brought his driver in for gas with a game plan in case it shut off again in the pits.
With 45 to go, Davis called in, “Slowly starting to lose power.”
Roper noted, “If you feel like it’s going to give out on you, bring it to us. Save a trip to the in-field care center.”
After another five laps, Davis said, “Craig, I’m going to have to bring it to you next time. Want me to meet you at the trailer?”
Roper confirmed, and with 37 to go, and that was all she wrote for the No. 04 Roper Racing team that showed all grit and no quit in the Baptist Health 200. It was a P32 finish for Davis in Miami following Zane Smith’s disqualification.
Sponsor Shoutout
As NASCAR fans know, sponsors make the sport go ’round. We want to give a shoutout to Fly Alliance who was a huge part of the weekend for Spencer and the No. 04 team. 
Be sure to give Spencer Davis (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter) and Roper Racing (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter) a follow to keep up with the latest news from the driver and team.
