Roulette Recap follows a randomly selected driver throughout a race to break down their efforts. There is no telling ahead of time how the race will go. The driver could face calamity on the opening lap or start from the rear and win the race. With that, may the odds be ever in the driver’s favor.
Heart of America 200
Kansas Speedway marked the eighth race for Spencer Boyd’s team, Freedom Racing Enterprises. The team started the season on a high note with a top-five finish at Daytona International Speedway. Since then, the team has waited for the proverbial tides to turn. Could that wish come true in Kansas?
Boyd qualified his No. 76 Chevrolet Silverado P27 for the Heart of America 200. Before rolling off, the team talked about the changing track conditions and prepared for the 134 lap event.
Stage 1
As the green flag waved, drivers immediately went three and four wide in order to gain track position. Boyd was sitting middle of when the first caution waved. Ty Majeski got into the wall immediately after taking Lap 2. Boyd radioed in that he was “wrecking loose.” The team opted to stay out and hope for a longer run and the truck to come to.
The field tried again, taking the green on Lap 7. Boyd lined up P29 and saw a much calmer restart.
On Lap 10, spotter Reed Sorenson encouraged Boyd to try different lanes now that the race went more than one lap. A lap later, Boyd noted he was “still free in the middle.”
As Majeski got around Boyd, Sorenson suggested his driver follow in the No. 98’s tire tracks.
On Lap 14, Stewart Friesen got into the wall but avoided wrecking the field on his way to pit road. By this time, the majority of the field was running the top lane against the outside wall.
With 10 to go in the opening stage, Boyd was sitting P31, working hard to maintain the lead lap. He radioed in again noting, “so loose.” Sorenson encouraged Boyd, “Just hang on to it. We’ll get some adjustments soon.”
As the opening stage ended, Boyd sat P32, down a lap and ready for those adjustments.
Boyd said, “I need a lot of help…It feels like the right rear isn’t even in the racetrack…I’m so loose on entry.”
Hammond encouraged Boyd, “We’re going to take a big swing at it…you’ll feel it!”
Stage 2
After pitting, Boyd lined up P30 to start the second stage on Lap 38. It was another wild restart that went three- and four-wide. Once everything settled, Boyd was in a Lucky Dog battle with Lawless Alan, Jennifer Jo Cobb, and Friesen.
Five laps into the run, Sorenson continued to update Boyd on where he was running well and where he needed to make some on-track adjustments.
As Friesen got around Boyd, there were 10 laps remaining in the short, second stage, and Boyd was fighting hard to not lose another lap. Unfortunately, with three to go, the leader, Zane Smith, got around Boyd.
Boyd noted his truck was still “twitchy loose” near the wall, but felt better overall.
Stage 3
After more adjustments, Boyd returned to the track in P32 for the final stage on Lap 68, which consisted of 74 laps.
A position was gained in the chaotic opening laps and Hammond cheered Boyd on, “That’s the way! Run up there behind the (No.) 46 (Thad Moffitt). Go on!” Sorenson immediately told his driver, “Best lap yet.” A lap later, he repeated himself, and Hammond jumped in, “Now we’re racing, buddy. Stay with him.”
With 50 to go, Boyd maintained position but was encouraged to start running a higher line to see if he could pick up some speed. Five laps later, the leaders, in a heated battle, got around the No. 76 once again.
With 40 to go, green flag pit starts started with leader, Corey Heim. This cycle of stops momentarily shook up the field. Five laps later, Boyd took to the pits for fresh tires, fuel, and a round of adjustments to finish out the race.
Following his stop, Boyd maintained P31. With 24 to go, Taylor Gray took to the pits with a tire issue, but the race stayed green, much to the dismay of the No. 76 FRE team.
In the closing laps, Boyd worked to learn and maintain lap times. Once the checkered flag waved, he finished the day P31.
Sorenson called the checkered flag and said, “Way to hang in there for us.”
Boyd responded, “Well, that sucked. We’ll look at throttle. But what I really need…I was too loose to run the top, we made it super secure to run the middle. But that throttle time isn’t cutting it.”
Hammond reminded Boyd, “We get another shot at this place. We brought the truck home in one piece. We found some speed, we’ll make it a little faster.”
Before signing off, Boyd thanked his team one more time. Next up for the team is Darlington Raceway!
For a full rundown of the Heart of America 200, click here.
Sponsor Shoutout + Driver & Team Socials
NASCAR fans know sponsors make the sport go ’round. We want to give a shoutout to FR8Factory who played a huge part of the weekend for Spencer and the No. 76 team.
Be sure to give Spencer Boyd (Facebook, Instagram, X) and Freedom Racing Enterprises (Facebook, Instagram, X) a follow to keep up with the latest news from the driver and team.
