LAS VEGAS (October 17, 2011) – Cale Gale returned to the driver’s seat of No. 33 Rheem Chevrolet Silverado as the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series made its way to Las Vegas Motor Speedway. The Smith’s 350 was Gale’s third Truck Series appearance this season and his first Truck Series start at the Nevada track. Starting from the 17th position, the driver maintained a spot in the top 20 for the majority of the race before falling victim to a late-race accident that left him with a 20th-place finish.
Just as quickly as the field roared to life under the desert sun, it was slowed for an accident in turn four on lap three. Under caution the team called Gale to pit road to top the truck off with fuel, leaving their driver to restart in the 27th position on lap six.
Back under green-flag conditions, the Alabama native had worked his way up to the 21st spot when NASCAR officials waved the yellow flag for debris on lap 13. Gale brought the No. 33 truck down pit road to top off with fuel and returned to the track in the 18th spot for the restart on lap 15.
During the restart, Gale was shuffled back to 21st, where he remained until the third caution of the day fell after an accident took place on the frontstretch on lap 23. The No. 33 Chevrolet visited pit road for a third time taking right-side tires and fuel. The quick stop allowed Gale to restart from the 20th position on lap 28.
On lap 31, the field was slowed as the yellow flag waved for a multi-truck accident in turn one. The No. 33 Rheem machine sustained damage from the accident and pulled onto pit road for the crew to inspect the Chevrolet, bolt on four tires and fill the truck with fuel. While on pit road the red flag was displayed for clean-up, and NASCAR officials alerted the KHI team that they would receive a penalty for coming to pit road before it was open. As a result of the penalty, Gale lined up at the tail end of the longest line in the 17th position for the lap 35 restart.
As the field resumed full speed, Gale moved into the 16th position and maintained the spot until lap 42 when the fifth caution was brought out for a multi-truck accident on the frontstretch. The team used the opportunity to visit pit road to fill the truck with fuel and check the splitter for potential damage after their driver made contact with wall during the green-flag run. The visit to pit road placed the No. 33 truck in the 19th position for the lap 45 restart. The field was slowed for a sixth time three laps later for an accident in turn four. Gale stayed on track during the caution laps, restarting in the 12th position on lap 51.
On the restart, the driver was shuffled back to 15th and as he settled into the position, a single-truck accident took place in turn two causing the yellow flag to wave for a sixth time. During the caution, Gale brought the truck down pit road for a quick splash of fuel and headed back on track to restart the race form the ninth position on lap 63.
Following the restart, the No. 33 Rheem Chevrolet fell back to the 18th position and on lap 86, fell a lap down to the leaders. As the green-flag run continued, Gale worked his way forward and reached the 12th spot by the time the team called him to pit road for a scheduled green-flag pit stop on lap 111. Taking four tires and fuel, the KHI crew sent their driver back on track in the 17th position, two laps down from the leader.
The eighth caution of the day waved on lap 117 for debris on the track. The team called Gale down pit road for a final stop to reassess the damage the splitter had sustained earlier in the race. The field returned to green-flag racing on lap 121 with the No. 33 in the 17th position.
Back on track, Gale maintained his spot until lap 124 when he was caught up in an accident bringing his day to an early end and leaving him to settle for a 20th-place finish.
The No. 33 team heads to Alabama this weekend when the Truck Series hits the track at Talladega Superspeedway on October 22. Catch the action live on SPEED at 4:00 p.m. ET and MRN at 3:45 p.m. ET.
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