Top Dog: Justin Haley
We all know the saying “everything is bigger in Texas.” That accurately defined the drama in the 2022 AutoTrader EchoPark Automotive 500 at Texas Motor Speedway (Sept. 25). A track record 16 cautions and tires that typically lasted about 35 laps defined the race a week after similar problems occurred at Bristol Motor Speedway.
In a race that spanned nearly six hours, Justin Haley was able to survive the Texas heat to earn a surprise third-place finish with Kaulig Racing.
Haley began the race from the rear of the field due to unapproved adjustments. He drove up to as high as 19th early in the race, then was hit with a penalty for an uncontrolled tire late in stage one. That relegated him to 29th by stage end.
However, an early highlight showed flashes of what was to come for Haley. On a restart with 22 to go in stage one, he charged up from 30th to 22nd place. Passing was a challenge due to dirty air and limited groove options, so the move was impressive from his No. 31 Chevrolet.
With a caution-filled race and the challenge of track position, Haley’s team opted to pit several times in stage two, forcing him to constantly battle his way forward. By the end of that stage, the 23-year-old driver was scored in 19th position.
Rain immediately followed the conclusion of stage two, forcing NASCAR officials to wave the red flag and park the cars. However, a number of teams pitting before the stoppage allowed Haley to jump to seventh when the race resumed.
Stop us if you’ve heard this before…
… it’s raining at the track. 😒#AutotraderEchoPark500 pic.twitter.com/QWtiG7Jnju
— Kaulig Racing (@KauligRacing) September 25, 2022
After holding strong inside the top 10, a caution for Chris Buescher brought Haley back down pit road for four tires. That preceded back-to-back wrecks involving the race leader. When the second of those crashes, this one involving Kevin Harvick, brought out the yellow, Haley was called to pit road for two tires, propelling him back up from 13th to seventh.
While other drivers either spun, hit the wall, or ran out of the groove, Haley took advantage of their mistakes, moving up accordingly. A stream of steady, consistent lap times positioned him in third during the final stretch of the race. The impressive run only grew more outstanding when Haley was able to hold off a hard-charging Ryan Blaney behind him in the last few laps.
If you’re Kaulig Racing and the No. 31 team, Texas may be the bright…
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