Mike Bliss had a rocket ship during the opening laps of the Toyota Tundra 200. After starting the event in the 16th position Bliss was battling for position in the top 10 on lap 47 when he tangled with Jack Sprague in turn two. Bliss was committed to the outside lane entering turn two with Sprague on the inside lane. Sprague snapped loose running right into the side of the Open Joist Dodge. Bliss had no where to go and spun into the outside wall resulting in major rear end damage. The Open Joist Racing Team went to work on pit road using everything from their two feet to jump on the tonneau cover to a variety of sledge hammers to repair the damage. Bliss never lost a lap while the team repaired the damage and restarted in the 27th position. Bliss displayed patience and savvy ability during the closing laps of the event and fought his way to a 24th place finish.

The No. 4 Open Joist Dodge Nashville Race Recap

Bliss qualified the No. 4 Open Joist Dodge in the 16th position for the 15th race of the season.
By lap 15 Bliss was running in the 12th position ready to attack his next competitor. “It is a little loose,” said Bliss.

The first caution waved on lap 43 for debris and Bliss hit pit road for adjustments. The Open Joist Racing Team changed all four tires, added fuel and went down three rounds on the track bar to help the loose condition.

It was only a few laps following the restart before disaster struck. Bliss was battling for a top 10 spot on lap 47 when he tangled with Jack Sprague in turn two. Bliss was committed to the outside lane entering turn two with Sprague on the inside lane. Sprague snapped loose running right into the side of the Open Joist Dodge. Bliss had nowhere to go and spun into the outside wall resulting in major rear end damage.

The Open Joist Racing Team went to work on pit road using everything from their two feet by jumping on the tonneau cover, to bats and sledge hammers to repair the damage. Bliss never lost a lap while the team repaired the damage and restarted in the 27th position.

The third of five cautions waved on lap 62 for an accident in turn two. Bliss once again came down pit road for repairs. The Open Joist Racing team went to work fixing the front and rear sheet metal of the Dodge Ram. He restarted in the 25th position.

“It is way too tight,” said Bliss on lap 85. The tight condition hindered Bliss and he went one lap down on lap 102.

The fourth caution waved on lap 111 for another accident in turn two. Bliss came down pit road for four tires, fuel and a rubber out of the left rear spring.

On lap 113 he dropped to the 29th position. Fortunately, another caution waved several laps later. Bliss once again hit pit road.

The Open Joist Racing Team went up four rounds on the track bar and put in two rubbers in the right rear.

The adjustments proved to help Bliss. He worked his way into the 24th position before the checkered flag flew.

Kvapil won the Toyota Tundra 200 before an estimated crowd of 26,500. Ron Hornaday Jr., Mike Skinner and David Starr rounded out the top five finishers. The next event for the NCTS will be at Bristol Motor Speedway on August 22nd with Bliss behind the wheel.