News and Media Releases

Gifford Fills in For Teammate at 311 Speedway

30/08/2009

Ryan Gifford planned to drive his No. 29 Shell-Pennzoil entry in a race at Tri-County Speedway last Friday, but Mother Nature didn’t cooperate as rains forced the cancellation of the evening’s events.

The following evening found Gifford filling in for his Team Dillon Racing teammate, Ty Dillon, in a 25-lap event at 311 Speedway in Pine Hall, N.C. When Dillon reported he was not feeling well, TDR called on Gifford to climb behind the wheel of Dillon’s Dirt Late Model.

Qualifying fifth at the half-mile banked clay oval, Gifford worked his way up to third on the single-groove track. As the laps were winding down, Gifford felt his car was faster than those of the first- and second-place drivers, so he tried “to make something happen” in an attempt to pass the frontrunners.

Unfortunately, the plan did not pan out as Gifford slid up the track, allowing another driver to get by and drop him into the fourth position. Unable to regain the spot, Gifford crossed the finish line fourth as the checkered flag was displayed.

The 20-year-old now turns his attention to his next start in the NASCAR Camping World Series as his team prepares for the Central Iowa Building and Construction Trades 125 at Iowa Speedway.

The race marks Gifford’s fourth start in the NCWS and his first since a fourth-place result at New Hampshire Motor Speedway in late June. It also marks the first time Gifford will compete in the West division of the NCWS, as his previous three starts have all come in the series’ East division. This will be Gifford’s first time competing at the .875-mile tri-oval.

The Central Iowa Building and Construction Trades 125 will be contested Friday, September 4, at 8 p.m. Central Daylight Time. The event is scheduled to air on a tape-delayed basis on SPEED, Thursday, September 10, at 3 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (Check your local listings to confirm date and time).