AVONDALE, Ariz. – For the second consecutive week, Brennan Poole nearly saw a late-race gamble pay off, but the HScott Motorsports with Chip Ganassi driver came up 11 laps short from his second top-10 NASCAR XFINITY Series finish in as many starts.
Much like his XFINITY Series debut last weekend at Las Vegas (Nev.) Motor Speedway, Poole had never seen Phoenix (Ariz.) International Raceway before Friday’s practice session. And while the team fought through a plowing-like handling issue for much of the weekend, the team still maneuvered competitive practice times.
In qualifying on Saturday morning, Poole qualified a disappointing 21st, but refused to stay there once the race started. Methodically, Poole worked his way through the field and through sequences of long green-flag runs, the No. 42 DC Solar Chevrolet Camaro maneuvered respectable lap times but more importantly remained on the lead lap.
When the leaders pitted for what would be their final time, Poole’s crew chief Mike Shiplett elected to keep his rookie driver on the track on a whim that a late race caution would erupt. If the yellow flag flew, Poole would be able to pit and roar back through the field with some of the freshest Goodyear rubber on the race track.
Poole led the field back to green, but lost the lead a lap later to eventual winner Joey Logano. Exercising patience, Poole remained inside the top-five through the first 15 laps following the restart, but as the race pace settled back in, the six-time ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards winner was devoured by the competition on fresher tires.
While praying for a late race caution, the decision of when to pit was made for them when Poole ran out of gas 11 miles from the finish of the fourth XFINITY race of the season.
A lifeless No. 42 DC Solar Chevrolet Camaro came to pit road for service and returned to the racetrack, where Poole had to suffer through the waning laps to finish 26th.
“(I) learned a lot today,” said Poole. “It was fun running with the leaders. We just made a gamble to get a great finish and it didn’t pan out. We were a 10th to 12th place car and sometimes you just have to go for it.
“I’m proud of our guys and how much we are growing with this DC Solar team. I can’t wait for Texas.”
Indeed, the driver nicknamed “The Bull,” will make his next XFINITY start at Texas Motor Speedway on April 10 at his hometown track, Texas Motor Speedway.
“To have a good finish at Texas would mean the world to me,” added Poole. “I’m always putting pressure on myself to perform, but Texas means so much to me and my family. It’s where I started my racing career. I know we should treat it like any other race, but in the back of your mind, you always want to go out and perform well at a place where everyone knows you and looks up to you.”
Poole once again proved why he belongs in the NASCAR XFINITY Series, but the real question may be is how did a talented driver such as himself go on the sidelines for so long without being offered a chance? While we probably already know the answer — Poole is making the best of the opportunity laid in front of him.
If Las Vegas and Phoenix were just an inkling of what’s ahead for the Texas, then it will only be a matter of when not if he’s able to put Harry Scott and Chip Ganassi in victory lane.
Earlier Saturday, CATCHFENCE.com broke the story that Poole had two additional XFINITY Series races added to his limited schedule. Both Iowa Speedway events this summer will now see Poole at
the helm of the No. 42 Chevrolet Camaro.
Follow Chris Knight on Twitter @Knighter01.
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