Jeff Fultz and his JCR3 team thought that they had a pretty good plan when the USAR Pro Cup Series visited Bristol Motor Speedway on Wednesday night. Fultz used his skills as a NASCAR Touring Series champion to stay out of trouble, while his team of champions did what they did best by making the right calls during the race.
Fultz started back in the 35th position, but that was not going to be a problem. It was a long race and with the right pit calls and a car designed to be better in the closing laps of the race, the chances for a good finish were strong.
“We pit strategied when all of them came in,” said Fultz. “Every one of them came in. We took two tires and beat a bunch of them out and we started passing some cars. The car was good but it was real free which I was kind of happy about because that meant it’d be good later on. We passed a few cars and got up to fourth.”
That plan did not include a cut tire on lap 78 however.
“We cut a right front and we ended up in the wall. I hate it for the #3 [Wayne Willard, who was collected in the wreck]. We really struggled all day, but we knew in the race we’d be better. The guys worked hard all day to get it here.”
Bristol’s high banks are not very forgiving and Fultz found that out with his hard hit into the concrete.
“I was still in the gas. I hit so hard it kind of blurred me for a minute. I crossed the track and I was awake but my head was a little sore. I’m alright now, I just needed some fresh air and a little water. I just hate it for the guys.”
Fultz was credited with the 26th finishing position.
The next race for the USAR Hooters Pro Cup Series will come September 2nd at USA International Speedway (FL). The Hooters Pro Cup Bristol Motor Speedway race can be viewed on Speed Channel on Wednesday, August 30 at 5:00pm and on Friday September 1st at Noon.
