AVONDALE, Ariz. – In the midst of a four-week break on the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series tour, Tyler Young found himself on a different side of the fence Friday at Phoenix (Ariz.) International Raceway.
Appearing in an Ole Energy crew shirt and armed with a radio headset, Young stood near the pit box in the NASCAR XFINITY Series garage reading out lap times to friend Charles Lewandoski,
turning his first laps in the No. 56 Ole Energy Chevrolet for the newly formed Team Kapusta.
“I have a new found respect,” said Young. “I’m just here helping Charles and doing whatever I can to help out. These guys work their butt off. I’ve worked my butt off.”
Young’s family-owned team, Young’s Motorsports graciously allowed Team Kapusta to borrow their hauler and tools to attempt to make their NASCAR XFINITY Series debut in Saturday’s Axalta Faster. Tougher. Brighter. 200. In fact, the entire Young’s Motorsports team made the trip in an effort to help Lewandoski make the fourth XFINITY race of the season.
“We’re family,” Young added. “Charles has done a lot for us, so this is the least we could do for him. We want to see him succeed and it’s a real bonding opportunity for us and for our team to experience how things work in the XFINITY garage. And, we have a weekend off, so why not?”
After turning the 34th quickest lap in the first practice, Lewandoski found speed during his mock qualifying run, posting the 31st fastest lap giving the team some comfort heading into knockout qualifying Saturday morning.
With 41 teams on the ground vying for 40 spots, Team Kapusta enters the race as the only organization without owner points. Lewandoski can find himself in his first XFINITY race since 2012 at Charlotte (N.C.) Motor Speedway if he can qualify Saturday morning.
Hydrated with plenty of Ole Energy on a warm day in the dessert, Lewandoski feels that chance is realistic, as well as build a notebook that could accelerate the team’s path moving forward.
“We made solid gains in both practices,” Lewandoski said. “Being with a brand new team without any points, it puts added pressure to hit your marks in qualifying. I’m looking forward to tomorrow and can’t thank Ole Energy drink enough for giving me this opportunity.”
Lewandoski is poised to make his fourth XFINITY start at the 1.0-mile oval this weekend. In three previous runs in Zoomtown USA, the 29-year old posted a best finish of 21st in 2012.
Though Lewandoski realizes that his return to the XFINITY tour wouldn’t be possible without the generosity of Young and his crew.
“It’s great to have Bryan Berry as our crew chief this weekend,” the Stafford Springs, Connecticut native said. “Having Tyler (Young) and the entire Young’s Motorsports truck team partnering with us is huge. Having a group that works so well together is a huge asset and without them, we wouldn’t be here this weekend.”
Lewandoski says the team will evaluate their efforts following Phoenix to determine their next scheduled race.
Follow Chris Knight on Twitter @Knighter01.
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