Charlotte II: John Wes Townley race report

A MULTI-CAR INCIDENT RELEGATES TOWNLEY TO A 28TH PLACE FINISH AT LMS

Concord, NC (10-16-09) -- John Wes Townley saw a solid run disappear during the Dollar General 300 at Lowe's Motor Speedway on Friday when a multi-car pile-up on lap 70 collected six machines including the No. 09 Zaxby's Ford. Townley was a victim of circumstance but the incident relegated the 19-year-old rookie to a 28th place finish in the 300-mile event.

Despite being multiple laps down to the leader, Townley was able to leave NASCAR's "home track" still holding down the 32nd spot in the overall owner point standings. With just four races left on the 2009 NASCAR Nationwide Series schedule, Townley has 2,099 points; 389 markers behind 31st and 435 points outside the top-30.

Following an 18th place mark on the scoreboard during final practice Thursday evening, Townley toured the 1.5-mile in 29.868 seconds (180.796 mph) during time trials on Friday afternoon. The lap was fast enough to lock the Watkinsville, GA native into the field with a 27th place starting position for the 200-lap event.

The 43 car field took the green flag under threatening skies and cold temperatures for the 31st time in 2009. John Wes Townley fell back early on due to very tight conditions on his No. 09 Zaxby's Ford but a welcoming sign for relief came on lap 14 when the evening's first caution flag was displayed on lap 14 for a three car incident on the front stretch. Crew Chief Brad Parrott called the rookie down pit road for four tires, fuel and a major chassis adjustment. When racing resumed on lap 21 Townley was scored in the 32nd position.

A long green flag run resulted in Townley losing one lap to race leader Kyle Busch by lap 40, however smart driving by Townley kept him out of trouble on lap 64 when David Gilliland in the No. 1 machine went four wide in turn 1 ultimately causing a three car incident bringing out the evenings second caution. Townley would bring his No. 09 machine back down pit road for four tires and fuel along with an air pressure and chassis adjustment to aid in the handling of his machine. Townley would be scored 30th on lap 67 when racing resumed.

However, just three laps later Townley would become a victim of circumstance when the "big one" transpired in turn 2. The multi-car incident involved six cars including the No. 09 machine.

Although the damage was minimal, Brad Parrott would bring the yellow and blue machine down pit road four times over the next 25 laps to repair the right front fender. By lap 95 Townley was scored 29th, 21 laps down to the leader.

Townley would hang tough over the closing 100 laps but due to being multiple laps down could only gain one more position to race winner Kyle Busch. Townley would take the checkered flag in the 28th, 21 laps down.

Next up for John Wes Townley and the No. 09 Zaxby's Racing team is Memphis Motorsports Park where the rookie plans to make his career first start at the .750-mile oval in the Kroger on Track for the Cure 250 on Saturday, October 24th.

-credit: rabr