Bill Lester and the No. 22 Bad Boy Mowers Tundra team were in the Lone Star state Friday night for the Silverado 350 at Texas Motor Speedway. The team was confident in its Tundra and was expecting another top-15 finish, as 1.5-mile tracks have been the team's strong suit of late.

Lester was strong in both practice sessions Thursday afternoon. He told his crew the handling of the truck was a little free on entry into the corners, but he felt like a small change to the No. 22 Bill Davis Racing Tundra would improve his lap times. Crew chief Doug Wolcott and the team tried to fix the loose handling condition, and the positive results of the practice session further boosted the team's confidence.

When the green flag waved Friday night, Lester found himself on the outside of the fifth row. When Lester and the No. 22 Bad Boy Mowers Tundra team qualify well, they typically run near the front of the pack. Nine laps into the event, Lester reported to his crew that the handling was a little tight on entry into the corners. Wolcott assured his driver the crew would fix the truck during the first pit stop.

The tight condition caused Lester fall to 13th by lap 30. On lap 35, Lester communicated to his crew that the handling was now very loose in the corners and the truck lacked front grip.

In an effort to remedy the handling issues, Lester pitted for four tires, fuel and an air pressure adjustment under caution on lap 46. The team had a great pit stop and sent Lester back on the race track in the 12th spot.

On lap 61, Lester reported a severe vibration in the front end. Wolcott suggested that he hold on as long as he could. He was hoping for a caution so the crew could fix the machine without going a lap down. Wolcott's wish came true almost immediately when the caution flag waved. Lester brought his truck to pit road for fresh right-side rubber.

With 46 laps remaining, Lester had the No. 22 Tundra in the 17th spot and was seemingly headed for another strong run. A handful of laps later, Lester advised his crew he had a right side tire going down. He pitted for right side tires under green flag conditions on lap 127. The stop put him two laps in arrears.

Lester fought to return his lost laps throughout the final 17 laps, but to no avail. The team was relegated a 21st-place finish, two laps behind race winner Clint Bowyer.

The NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series heads to Phoenix International Raceway for the Phoenix 150 Nov. 10.