Bill Lester and the No. 22 team headed to Memphis with high hopes. The team had strong performances in the short track events this season, but the finishes were not indicative of the team's effort. Lester and the team sought a solid run from start to finish at Memphis Motorsports Park.

Lester battled a loose handling race truck in both of Friday's practice sessions. He reported that the truck was loose on entry and exit of the corners, which was causing him to have to wait to get back to the gas, thus hurting his lap times. The team made a number of significant changes to the chassis, and each change seemed to help. By the end of the final hour of practice, Lester said the truck felt good.

Lester sat 18th when the green flag was displayed to the 36-truck field Saturday night. Lester soon reported to his crew that the truck handled a little tight in the center of the corners. Crew chief Doug Wolcott began thinking about changes to make to the truck during the first pit stop. The tight condition continued to be a problem, and by lap 35, Lester had fallen to the 21st spot.

Lester sought relief in the form of a pit stop under caution on lap 62. After performing a routine four-tire stop, the crew made air pressure and trackbar adjustments to the truck in hopes of freeing it up for the next run.

The team did a great job on pit road, and Lester restarted 23rd. Lester spun his machine in turns three and four only four laps later, prompting the yellow flag. Lester kept his Tundra off the wall, but the spin did flat spot the tires. Lester pitted for fresh rubber and restarted 30th on lap 74.

Determined to return to the front, Lester began picking up positions. By lap 100, he re-emerged in the top-25. On lap 139, Lester told his crew that the truck was extremely tight in turns three and four, and he was having a hard time getting it turned. The handling issues caused Lester to lose positions, falling to 27th with 30 laps remaining.

Lester wound up 25th with the help of a great pit stop with less than 25 laps to go.

Bill Lester and the No. 22 Toyota Tundra team have two weeks off to prepare for the race in Indianapolis, Ind., Aug. 4.