YouTube Link for Video Recap:
Race Recap:
The goal for the race was to finish and finish in a decent position. After having a couple of DNF finishes in 2013 & 2014, the team was anxious to turn our luck around at the Mint 400.
The week of festivities started with a 14 mile parade down the Las Vegas Strip and ending up downtown on Fremont Street. Over 100 race vehicles participated and riding along with Steve was our own “shock expert” Jordan Kundert. It marked the first time that Jordan has been in the race truck since his paralyzing accident last May.
The next day was Qualifying and the qualifying course took place south of Vegas at Primm, Nevada and it was a 3 miles long course with everyone beginning on the short course race track. While coming off the short course, #94 got high on the berm which slowed them down and cost them a higher finishing place. Steve and Marc ended up qualifying 44th overall out of the 77 entries.
That evening was the Pit Crew Challenge on Fremont Street. After advancing from the 1st round on Wednesday night, the Strobel/JIMCO crew went on to blow out the rest of the field with their fast times earning them a trip to the final round. Unfortunately a loose lug nut cost them the win but they still proved to be a force to be reckoned with. Thanks for representing the team – Matt Loidice, Greg Forsburg and Marc Davis.
Friday was Tech & Contingency day and the Mint 400 has one of the longest and busiest contingency row which took place on Fremont Street. It is a great time to meet race fans, see our sponsors and take in everything the Mint 400 has to offer.
RACE DAY ~
The race began at 2:30 pm and the guys knew they had work ahead of them starting in the 44th position. Wind was pretty much none existent so they would be fighting hard through the dust. Pit crews were in place at the three various pits and ready to go.
A 31 second pit stop for fuel and tires after the 1st lap helped move #94 up to the 19th spot on the course. After a bad accident brought the race to a red flag stop, #94 was back out for their 2ndlap and continued to have a good run and so far no flats. The second pit stop for fuel, tires and light bar was another quick one – 34 seconds by the Strobel/JIMCO crew and #94 was still moving up the field.
On the 3rd and final lap with only 30 miles from the finish, trouble struck resulting with a coil over shock on the right front pulled the shaft loose from the heim end and they had to limp #94 in across the finish line resulting in a 19th overall finishing position and 15th in their class. The guys also went all day without any flats on the BFG KR2 tires.
Special thanks to our sponsors: Schaeffer Oil, KCHilites, Method Race Wheels, JIMCO, BFGoodrich, Kroyer Racing Engines, Gearworks, Weldon Racing Pumps and Turn 2 TV Productions.
Next race, Silver State 300 on May 2nd. Currently #94 is sitting in 8th position on overall points in their class and only 21 points out of first place.
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