Jiffy Lube 300 Live Report by Jared Martin

I arrived early at the track on Friday to watch practice and qualifying. Throughout practice Derrike was always one of the slowest. Qualifying was delayed twice due to rain. The first cars out were very slow, but then got faster as the track conditions improved. Derrike was one of the last cars in line so I thought he might be fast but right before he went out there was a brief shower and another delay. Derrike was the first car back out and turned a very slow lap.

Saturday morning I arrived in time for practice and second round qualifying. Derrike was the second car out and turned a very good lap to put him in fourth for the second round and starting the race in 29th.

Raceday: Derrike looked strong at the start of the race but was caught up in a little wreck which gave him minor damage but it did seem to slow the car down some. After the wreck Derrike took a pit stop to pull the sheet metal back off the tire and while in there he took gas and tires which helped him big time in the end. There was a long stretch of green flag until the leaders pitted, but because of the gas from before Derrike was able to stay out while almost everyone else went in. When the leaders came out Derrike was in the front pack and all I could do was pray for a caution, and I got it.

Derrike took his pit stop under caution and was still able to come back out, not lose a lap AND stay in the top 20. Derrike's car because of the early damage could not keep up with the leaders and slowly dropped back to the back losing a lap. Again when the leaders came in Derrike stayed out for a long time hoping for another caution and again he got it. Derrike was able to get his lap and move up many positions.

In the final stretch Derrike could not keep up in the lead draft and lost many positions but was able to come out of it with a productive finish. Throughout the race Derrike did a wonderful job staying out of other crashes that could have easily taken him out and 16th place is a well earned finish for the team.