March 29th, 2009 | 
Author: Danville, VA-2.18.09- Timothy Peters in the #17 Hayes Iron & Metal/Strutmasters.com Toyota entered the first race of the season with one goal in mind: finish in the Top-10 at Daytona. Call it a successful weekend. Not only did they finish in the Top-10, but their 6th place finish was their best result in the new team’s history. Their previous best 10th place finish was earned at Martinsville Speedway on October 18th, 2008. The new-found success was not a surprise to the team owner Philip Hudgins, “I knew that our manufacturer support from Toyota would play a huge role in taking this team to the next level. I think Timothy and the team drove a smart race, showing the fans that this team will be a contender for the win at the upcoming races.”
The weekend started out at Thursday’s practice as the team made significant adjustments to the truck to improve its balance and prepare for qualifying under the lights on Friday evening. “We took a conservative approach in practice, but we knew the track conditions were going to be good when the truck was in race trim during the event,” commented crew chief Chad Kendrick. He added, “We were committed initially to just making the race; we knew we’d have a chance to make the truck handle better during the race.”
The #17 team entered pole qualifying outside the Top-30 in owner’s points, which meant they had to qualify on time for the event. The conservative approach paid off handsomely with Peters wheeling the #17 Hayes Iron & Metal/Strutmasters.com Toyota to an impressive 18th spot on the starting grid. “I knew I had one chance to make a solid lap, and the set-up on the truck gave me the confidence to put it solidly in the field.”
Under a picturesque Florida sunset the #17 truck started the NextEra 250 Truck Series race with a driver full of confidence and a team set to make their mark in the 2009 season. As the race progressed Peters skillfully avoided wrecks that took out many of the top contenders before the halfway point of the race, including reigning truck series champion Johnny Benson. As the race went on, Peters pressed on to the front of the field, reaching 9th place by lap 60. On lap 67 Brent Raymer slammed his truck into the outside wall. Fortunately, the driver was uninjured in the crash, but this brought out a caution which enabled Peters to make a final pit stop and set up for his charge to the front.
As the green flag flew for the restart on lap 70, Peters restarted in the 18th position and began to pick off one truck at a time. By lap 90, with trucks bouncing off one another, Peters was able to advance to the 9th position. In the closing laps Peters mounted a final charge, passing three tucks to cross the line with a hard-fought 6th place finish.
In post race comments, Peters was quick to praise his team and his sponsors for giving him the opportunity to be a contender at Daytona, “I have to thank all the guys on the crew for putting in so much hard work in the off-season. Without the support of Hayes Iron & Metal, Strutmasters.com, Toyota and our newest sponsor, Hair of the Dog Energy Drink, we would not even be here tonight. With this team sitting in the Top-10 in points, I can’t wait to get to California for the next race.”
Posted in social