At the season opener of the NASCAR XFINITY Series, Blake Koch was involved in a collision during qualifying at the Daytona International Speedway.
Blake Koch was part of the second of four first-round group runs when Joe Gibbs Racing rookie Daniel Suarez made contact with the No. 8 LeafFilter Camry. This unfortunate incident left six stock cars torn-up at the end of the qualifying round. Suarez, Koch, Carlos Contreras, Landon Cassill, Harrison Rhodes, and Tanner Berryhill were all involved in the crash.
NASCAR drivers and enthusiasts are criticizing the new qualifying process, explaining that it does not work and ends up costing teams, sponsors and more. This multicar wreck at the first-ever group qualifying session solidifies concerns.
The LeafFilter Racing Team, along with members of other TriStar Motorsports Teams, rallied to get Blake Koch’s back-up car wrapped, built and set up with just hours before the race. Fortunately, the No. 8 LeafFilter Camry arrived at pit road with minutes to spare before the green flag dropped. The crew from LeafFilter Racing and TriStar Motorsports worked hard in order to make it possible for Koch to compete in the season opener of the NASCAR XFINITY Series.
“The No. 8 LeafFilter Gutter Protection Camry team overcame adversity today. After wrecking in qualifying and unloading the backup car, someone from every team at TriStar Motorsports helped get my car ready to take the green flag. I can’t thank my crew enough for their hard-work and I am very happy to have gotten a 20th place finish out of today.” – Blake Koch
After pitting for fuel only and a big trackbar adjustment, Koch managed to pull off a 20th place finish, after starting at the back of the 40 car field (38th) due to the wreck.
LeafFilter Gutter Protection President Matt Kaulig shows us behind the scenes footage at Daytona as the the teams worked to dismantle the wrecked #8 and build the back-up before the Alert Today Florida 300.
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