The Chicago Race – Almost

As most of you know, the race field for any given NASCAR Nationwide Series event is limited to 43 cars. The top 30 teams (determined by total owner’s points) are GUARANTEED a starting spot in any given race.

Over the last few weeks, Morgan Shepherd and the #89 Racing With Jesus Dodge Charger has been flirting with a top 30 spot. Currently in 31st place (in owner’s points), the team must now race their way into each event.

Now, just because you may turn in a good qualifying speed is no guarantee of a starting spot. And that’s precisely what happened at the Chicago race.

Here is the announcement from Faith Motorsports PR:

Team offers no excuses for DNQ at Chicagoland

Author: Faith Motorsports PR

JOLIET, IL – One could argue lack of practice time, ever changing track conditions, an abundance of competition and more, but Morgan Shepherd and his Faith Motorsports crew say they just didn’t get it done when to came to qualifying for this weekend’s Nationwide Series race at Chicagoland Speedway.

Shepherd said he held the car nearly wide open all the way around the track during his two qualifying laps on Friday afternoon, but still missed the starting field on time due to many teams in the Top 30 running slower times and using provisionals to make the grid.

“Had it been the fastest 43 cars make the race scenario then we would have been in the field, but that isn’t the way the rules work,” Shepherd said after running the 39th fastest time of the 50 cars which made qualifying attempts. “That is why those Top 30 teams work so hard to try to stay in that position. It benefited us at Kentucky a few weeks ago and bit us this weekend.”

Shepherd said the car handled relatively well and the crew’s setup wasn’t off base. His only complaint was that he felt the team’s engine woes may still be cropping up at inopportune times.

“We were turning 8400 RPMs on Thursday and made some setup changes and then could only turn 8200,” he said. “I don’t know why that happened but we will check this week on what might have held the engine back a little.”

Regardless of the reason for the misfortune of missing the race, it is time to focus on this weekend’s effort at Gateway International Raceway near St. Louis.

“We’ll just suck it up and move on. That’s about all you can do.”