Racing at the high-banked Bristol Motor Speedway is often a matter of survival. Bill Lester and the No. 22 SunTrust Toyota Tundra team survived the famous half mile and finished 16th in Wednesday night's event.

The team spent Wednesday's practice sessions struggling to find the correct balance for the truck. Lester reported that the truck's handling was loose in the corners during the first practice session, so the team made a number of chassis changes in hopes of tightening the handling. The handling did tighten—too much, as Lester reported in the final practice session. The team changed its shock and spring combinations, hoping to correct the handling. Lester stood 24th when practice ended, leaving the team wondering just what it would take to balance its Tundra.

Lester qualified the SunTrust Toyota in the 22nd spot, and the team began the 200-lap race knowing it had a lot of work to do. On lap 28, Lester told crew chief Doug Wolcott that he could not get his truck to turn into the corners, but it was really good coming off in the gas. Lester was running solid lap times and was picking off positions.

By lap 40, Lester had moved up into the ninth spot. He again communicated to his crew that the truck handled a little loose in the center of the turns. Wolcott and the No. 22 SunTrust crew began discussing the changes they would make during the first pit stop of the evening.

Lester reported to his pit stall for four tires, fuel and an air pressure adjustment under caution on lap 65. He restarted 24th, mired behind trucks who had elected not to pit during the caution period.

Lester advanced to the 23rd position by lap 100 and cautiously moved forward. He said the truck was now tight in the center of the corners, but the handling issues apparently did not hinder Lester from gaining track position. He ultimately finished 16th, posting the team's second consecutive top-25 finish.

The NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series takes a couple of weeks off before returning to action Sept. 16 at New Hampshire International Speedway.