Austin, TX (May 7, 2016) – It was a less than auspicious beginning for Austin Wayne Self in Friday’s NASCAR Camping World Truck Series (NCWTS) Toyota Tundra 250 contributing to a disappointing 25th place finish at Kansas Speedway.
On the very first lap, Self, driver of the No.22 AM Technical Solutions /Don’t Mess With Texas Toyota, experienced untimely in-car radio issues affecting communication between his crew and spotter.
Deemed unsafe by NASCAR, officials in the scoring tower were forced to recall the AM Technical Solutions Toyota back down pit road until radio communication between driver and crew were reestablished.
“It’s one of those bizarre things that just happen,” said Self. “I hate it for our guys and sponsors but there was nothing else we could do but take the time to swap out radios and move on.”
Unfortunately, pitting under green flag conditions at the onset diminished the drivers’ chances as he quickly found himself seven laps down to the lead lap trucks just 12-laps into the 170 lap main event.
Once ba ck on track, Self’s challenges continued as he fought an extremely loose truck and what he said was “difficulty gaining speed back up through the gears.”
Keeping his composure, the 20-year old driver allowed his crew to make a series of chassis adjustments improving on the truck with every passing pit stop. Coming off a career best finish at Martinsville in his last start, Self-finished 9-laps down resulting in a season low finish at Kansas.
“I just can’t thank everyone enough at AM Technical Solutions for their support. Wasn’t exactly the night we were looking for but this entire No.22 team never gave up and fought hard. Time to put this behind us and focus on next week’s race at Dover.”
Self and the AM Technical Solutions Toyota team look ahead to next week’s NCWTS action when the series returns to the Monster Mile at Dover International Speedway.
