Mike Bliss
No. 4 Open Joist Dodge Ram Race Recap
Power Stroke Diesel 200
O’Reilly Raceway Park

Mike Bliss and the No. 4 Open Joist Racing Team never gave up during the running of the Power Stoke Diesel 200 at O’Reilly Raceway Park Friday night. Bliss battled an extremely tight Dodge Ram much of the night which mired him in the back, but with the help of two pit stops he overcame the tight condition and picked up several spots in the final laps to finish 11th. Bliss posted the fastest time in the first morning practice and the sixth fastest time in the second practice. After qualifying was rained out due to rain Friday afternoon, Bliss was forced to start 18th according to the NASCAR Rule Book.

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Bliss started the event in 18th position after qualifying was canceled due to rain. In the opening laps Bliss dropped to 20th position while battling a tight race truck. “I am way too tight,” said Bliss on lap 10.

On lap 17 Crew Chief Marcus Richmond told Bliss to turn his bead blowers off to help with the tight condition. “Just hang in there and we will fix it on the pit stop,” said Richmond.

By lap 60 Bliss was running 19th still battling the tight Dodge Ram. Luckily, the third caution of the night waved on lap 79 for a spin in turn four.

Richmond brought Bliss down pit road to the attention of the Open Joist Racing Team. They performed a fast pit stop changing all four tires, adding fuel and making a track bar adjustment to help the tight condition.

Slowly, the Dodge Ram began to loosen up. “It’s not great, but it is a little better,” said Bliss while under the fifth caution on lap 98.

The sixth caution waved lap 123 for a spin in turn two. Bliss hit pit road for another round of adjustments. The Open Joist Racing Team performed a lighting fast pit stop changing all four tires, added fuel and put two rounds into the right rear. He restarted in the 17th position.

That adjustment proved to be the right combination needed for the Open Joist Dodge. In just 20 laps Bliss worked his way into the 13th position, but didn’t quit.

In the final 20 laps of the event Bliss was able to pick two more positions to score an 11th place finish despite the early trouble.

Ron Hornaday Jr. won the Power Stroke Diesel 200 before an estimated crowd of 35,000. Johnny Benson, Travis Kvapil, Rick Crawford and BHR teammate Ken Schrader rounded out the top five finishers. The next event for the NCTS will be at Nashville Super Speedway on August 11th with Bliss behind the wheel.