RoadLoans Driver Chase Montgomery wheeled his No. 18 Dodge to a 26th place finish in the Chevy Silverado 150 at Phoenix International Raceway. It was Montgomery’s best career finish at Phoenix and his 19th top-30 finish of the season. 

“The truck was good I just struggled getting around the track,” said Montgomery. “I really had to adjust my line several times during the race. I was loose off the corner and tight in the center most of the race. It would take the tires a couple of laps to come in on restarts. When it was all over I felt like I had learned a lot about the track and I know when we come back next year we will be ten times better”

• Montgomery qualified 31st for the 24th race of the season, but was forced to the rear of the field when the team had to replace the valence after qualifying.
• The second of seven cautions waved 16 laps into the event for a spin in turn two. Montgomery had worked his way into the 28th position and elected not to pit.
• By lap 30 Montgomery had fell to 30th position. “It is sliding the nose into the corners,” said Montgomery.
• The third caution came out twelve laps later. Crew Chief Kip McCord made the decision to pit for a spring rubber change. The RoadLoans Racing Team changed all four tires and added fuel in record time. Montgomery restarted in 30th position.
•  On lap 55 Montgomery was running 31st when Spotter Jerry Adcock encouraged him to change to a higher line on the track. Montgomery did so and immediately picked up speed.
• Unfortunately, Montgomery was unable to pick up enough speed before the leaders caught him on lap 80. He was 30th one lap down to the leader.
• The fourth caution waved on lap 108. Montgomery said the truck was loose coming off a corner and his tires had no grip at the beginning of a run. The RoadLoans Racing Team made a wedge adjustment, changed all four tires and filled the No. 18 Dodge with fuel. He restarted in 28th position.
• Montgomery was able to work his way up to the 26th position before the checkered flag. It was his best NCTS finish at Phoenix. 

“We will close this chapter and head to Homestead,” said Montgomery after the race. “We have one more chance of scoring a top 10 or even better a top five this season. I really want to end this season with a good finish. We are going to work extra hard this week to make sure that happens.”

Todd Bodine won the Chevy Silverardo 150.  Ron Hornaday Jr., Johnny Benson, Rick Crawford and Dennis Setzer followed in the top five.