The No. 22 team headed to Mansfield Motorsports Speedway knowing it needed a strong run to return to the top 20 in NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series points. Crew chief Doug Wolcott and the rest of the No. 22 team had spent countless hours preparing a truck for the .5-mile track in hopes of leaving Ohio with a good finish.

During NASCAR's open test session Thursday, Bill Lester reported that handling of his truck was tight through the center of the corner. The team worked on changing the balance of the truck to find the feel Lester needed, including making a number of shock adjustments. By the end of the four-hour test session, Lester was happy with his truck and thought this might be the week the team would break though with a top-five finish.

The No. 22 team worked on qualifying runs Friday morning. Early in the session, Lester said his truck handled too loose getting into the corners, but tight off. The team worked on fixing the handling issues, and Lester was eighth on the speed chart by the end of practice. Unfortunately, the No. 22 team's qualifying work never was exhibited, as rain cancelled the qualifying session. NASCAR set the starting grid on owners' points, meaning Lester would start 35th. The team was disappointed that it would start deep in the field, but was confident Lester would quickly advance through the field.

The weather was warm at the start of the 250-lap event, but Lester remained cool as he headed to the front. By lap 32, Lester had picked off 10 positions. On lap 42, Lester told the crew the truck was little free in and tight off the corners. The team planned the adjustments it would make to the truck during the first pit stop.

By lap 55, Lester had maneuvered up to 11th and was on a mission to get to the front. He cracked the top 10 by lap 68 and posted lap times as fast as those of the leader. By lap 120, Lester had moved into the runner-up position and was pulling away from the rest of the field.

Lester made his first pit stop of the day under caution on lap 137, stopping for four tires, fuel and an air pressure adjustment. He restarted 28th and was soon on a mission to return to the front.

Lester reported on lap 155 that the truck was extremely tight in both corners. The handling problems for the No. 22 did not go away, and Lester spun his truck in the middle of turns one and two on lap 207.

Lester brought his Tundra to the pits on lap 208. The two tire stop also included an air pressure adjustment. Lester continued to battle for position in the final 40 laps, and when the checkered flag waved, he stood 24th.

The team returns to action Friday at "The Monster Mile." The race at Dover (Del.) International Speedway can be seen Friday, June 2 at 8 p.m. on the Speed Channel.