Purdy Carries Rookie of the Year Title from Dover Despite Early Race Exit
DOVER, DEL (Oct. 2, 2017) – Chase Purdy and Miles the Monster met one another unexpected on Friday afternoon at Dover International Speedway when a cut tire ended Purdy’s NASCAR K&N Pro Series event only 12 laps into the race. Despite the lackluster finish, he still emerged from Dover claiming the Rookie of the Year title.
Chase and his David Gilliland Racing team unloaded the No. 17 Toyota at the one-mile cathedral of speed looking to work on adapting to the speed and physical forces exerted on a driver because of the high banking and exceptionally long corners. Gradually, Chase warmed up to the speed and began to get comfortable while working on longer runs for the race which traditionally has long green flag stretches.
Soon after the green flag waved, Chase began trying to work his way forward after a misstep in qualifying forced him to start in the seventh row. Before the tires were barely up to temperature, Chase’s car veered right into the outside wall after a cut tire caused the car to careen off the SAFER barrier, ending his race merely 12 laps into the event.
“That wasn’t exactly what we had in mind when we unloaded here at Dover,” Chase said after the race. “We were struggling with tight just a little bit, but nothing so bad as to blow a right front that early. Clearly, we must have run over something. I’m ok, but it just sucks. We were aiming for a third in points, but this knocked us down to fourth, but at least we were able to claim the Rookie of the Year title. That’s a big deal and I’m proud of the season I’ve had with my David Gilliland Racing team and the effort we put in every week this year.”
This was the final race of the NASCAR K&N Pro Series season and the second consecutive rookie title for Chase in NASCAR-sanctioned competition. To finish out the fall, Chase is tentatively scheduled to compete in select super late model events as his schedule permits.
For more information on Chase Purdy, visit his website at ChasePurdyRacing.com and follow him on Facebook (@ChasePurdyRacing), Twitter (@ChasePurdy12) and Instagram (@chase_purdy).
Sources: Performance Marketing Group PR