Raines Posts Top-20
In No. 70 Debut

LONG POND, Pa. – Making his first start for Haas CNC Racing in the No. 70 Haas Automation Chevrolet, Tony Raines posted an 18th-place finish in the Pennsylvania 500 at Pocono Raceway Sunday.

Having to qualify for the race on time, Raines and the No. 70 team spent the first of the weekend’s three scheduled practice sessions making mock qualifying runs. The experience was good enough to turn the 18th-fastest qualifying lap and still left two practice sessions to dial the car in for the race.

Rain, however, forced the cancellation of the final two practice sessions and Raines was required to start the race with no seat time in race trim.

Raines reported early in the race that his car was just a tick tight in the center of the turns, but overall was handling fairly well. As tire pressures built up however, the car grew progressively looser; meaning the rear of the car was loosing traction.

“We started off the race pretty good, but the car just got looser and looser as we went along,” Raines said. “On each pit stop we dialed it in a little more and by the halfway point the car was turning pretty well. It would just push a bit when I got on the gas coming out of the turns.”

Pit strategy and weather were key factors during the last third of the race. When the field came under caution for rain on Lap 128, Skog called for Raines to stay out on the track to pick up valuable track position as many of the leaders pitted. The red flag brought the field to a stop at Lap 131 with Raines sitting in the 12th position.

The race resumed after a 41-minute delay and Raines fell back through the field several positions as cars on fresh tires passed. With just 20 laps to go, Raines said his car was lacking grip in the front end but he was able to bring it to the finish line in the Top 20.

“Not a bad finish, especially considering the lack of practice time,” Raines said. “I’m happy with my first start in the No. 70. I think Dave Skog called a good race, the team worked hard in the pits all day, and we got a Top 20 finish. I’ll take it,” he said.

The No. 70 team next heads to Watkins Glen for Sunday’s “Centurion Boats at the Glen,” at 2 p.m. EDT. Road course specialist Max Papis is scheduled to drive.