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.
Credit One NASCAR Amex Credit Card 300
In only his second NASCAR Xfinity Series start of 2024, Mason Maggio looked to take on Homestead-Miami Speedway.
The Palm Beach Garden native qualified P32 on the day and noted on social media that he felt his team, “Had a good piece.”
Maggio was reminded to have fun, bring it home in one piece, and be there at the end.
Stage 1
Spotter David Pepper called his driver to the line and worked him through a three-wide situation. Lap 3 saw Maggio settle into P35 as he began to learn the track and car. He lost one more spot and was told to “settle in.”
Maggio radioed in that he was loose in the corners, and as he took 17 to go in the opening stage, he was told, “Just keep hitting your marks.” He was also informed that adjustments would be coming as soon as possible.
With 15 to go, Maggio was lapped and sitting in the Lucky Dog position.
Finally, the stage came to an end and Maggio was scored P35. He was finally able to get the adjustments he so desperately wanted.
Stage 2
After his pit stop, Maggio returned to the track in P34. Before going back green, a “what-if-early-caution” plan was discussed.
Once he settled in, Maggio got to work. A few laps later, Pepper noted, “Really good corner. Wear out that dude in front of you!”
A lap later, Pepper radioed again, “Two laps in a row you’re better than all the ones we’re racing.” He continued to coach Maggio on where to enter corners based on where others around him were running.
Over five laps, Maggio worked hard to work his way around a car. Pepper said, “Let’s go get the next one. Put all that in the notebook because we’re going to run down this guy and do the same thing all over again.”
Running P33, 13 laps were remaining in the stage and the crew started to experience radio issues.
Suddenly, with four to go, the caution waved as Nick Leitz went spinning. Ultimately, this caution ended the stage and Maggio was scored P31, two laps down.
Stage 3
Following the stage stop, Maggio returned to the track in P30 ready to make some ground with 104 to go.
He held onto P31 and 10 laps later, lost one more spot. In the midst of the racing, Maggio brushed the wall, but Pepper noted his car was fine and to keep at it.
Ryan Truex brought out the next caution with 79 to go. At this time, crew chief Kase Kallenbach started discussing pit strategy.
The No. 45 Alpha Prime Racing team opted to keep the driver on track, take the wave-around, and opt for a green-flag stop approximately 22 laps later. Once lined up, Maggio was in a race for the Lucky Dog spot – and the team was hoping for another quick caution.
Maggio worked around Austin Green and set his sights on Leland Honeyman, Jr. and Dawson Cram. Honeyman took to the pits with an issue, which allowed Cram to be the only driver between Maggio and the Lucky Dog.
As numerous drivers took to the pits with trouble, Maggio worked to P30. Then, with 49 to go, Maggio came to his crew for adjustments, fuel, and tires.
Following the stop, he returned to the track in P33 and was told, “Run your race for 46 laps. You’re just racing the track.”
Throughout the closing laps, Maggio used the opportunity to learn the track and the car.
When all was said and done, Maggio crossed the line P31. Maggio said, “The driver has some work to do. But I appreciate the opportunity. I learned a ton today. What a valuable experience. I hope we can do it again.”
Both the crew chief and spotter encouraged Maggio for not only holding his own but racing a respectful race.
Sponsor Shoutout + Driver & Team Socials
NASCAR fans know sponsors make the sport go ’round. We want to give a shoutout to Sparks Boat Works and F2 Ocean Coatings who played a huge part of the weekend for Mason and the No. 45 team.
Be sure to give Mason Maggio (Facebook, Instagram, X) and Alpha Prime Racing (Facebook, Instagram, X) a follow to keep up with the latest news from the driver and team.
