CONCORD, N.C. – Been wanting to earn better finishes – like he knew his Kaulig Racing team was capable of, Justin Haley earned a career-best finish in Saturday afternoon’s boiling Alsco 300.
After already maneuvering seven top-10 finishes this season as driver of the No. 11 LeafFilter Gutter Protection Chevrolet Camaro, Haley withstood an aggressive race full of attrition and blazing temperatures to finish fifth, his first top-five in 14 career Xfinity Series races.
Moving up from the NASCAR Gander Outdoors Truck Series – where he rode into Homestead with a shot at the championship, Haley has found his footing in the mainstay car for Kaulig Racing. But just 11 races in and seven top-10 finishes in the last nine events, Haley knew top-fives would soon come and be the boost to propel his team forward.
“It was definitely a day full of perseverance,” said Haley. “We just raced from the back to the front all day. Hats off to these Kaulig Racing guys to get this top-five (run).”
Prior to Charlotte, the 20-year-old Haley had finished seventh three times in 2019, most recently at Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway in April.
With a top-five finish in the books, Haley heads to Pocono (Pa.) Raceway with confidence on his side and a team that is quickly finding their footing.
“We needed this run today, after a few tough weeks and a lot of downs this points us in a good direction with momentum,” added Haley. “We came from the back to the front multiple times and stayed after it all day. It was a physically demanding race, but thankfully all my preparation and training withheld and made it much easier.
“Heading to Pocono next week will be good for us, arguably one of Kaulig Racing’s best track, and for sure one of mine. We are starting to find a good amount of speed in our cars and I’m confident this is will be a nice turning point in the season.”
As Kaulig Racing continues to enhance their on-track product, the team ran two cars on Saturday afternoon. With Austin Dillon making his first Xfinity Series appearance in 2019, it appeared that Dillon would lead the charge for the Welcome, N.C.-based team – but when the heat inside Dillon’s race car courtesy of a damaged crush panel became too much for the two-time Cup Series winner to overcome, the No. 10 car fell out of contention during a driver change and finished 28th.
In its fourth season of existence, Haley, a native of Winamac, Ind. delivered Kaulig Racing’s third top-five in Xfinity Series competition. Two of the top-fives have come in 2019, first at Las Vegas (Nev.) Motor Speedway in March with Dillon – then with Haley.
Former driver Ryan Truex earned the team their first top-five effort a fifth-place performance on the road course at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in August 2018.
After 11 races, Haley sits 11th in the Xfinity Series point standings.
Follow Chris Knight on Twitter @Knighter01.
