T.J. Bell had high hopes for his weekend at Kansas Speedway. Having previous experience at the 1.5-mile track in Craftsman Truck Series competition, Bell expected big things for his Heathcliff's Cat Litter team. Things seemed to be going his way until a cut tire eliminated him from contention in the closing stages of the race.

Bell qualified 21st for Saturday's race, but was forced to start from the tail end of the field following unapproved impound adjustments. Bell began picking up positions as soon as the green flag dropped, advancing to the 28th position by lap four. Bell held his position until a caution came at lap 18, when crew chief Matt Puccia called the No. 50 Heathcliff's Ford to pit road for tires, fuel and a track bar adjustment. Bell restarted in the 30th position when the race went back to green flag conditions at lap 25.

Taking advantage of his four new tires, Bell was able to improve to the 21st position at lap 41. When green flag pit stops began for the race leaders, Bell began picking up valuable spots and track position due to his earlier stop. The No. 50 showed third on the scoring pylon at lap 71 when a caution came out for a wreck involving the No. 51 truck. Bell was in great position to record a good finish as most of the field found themselves on the tail end of the lead lap or trapped a lap down due to the timing of pitstops and the caution period. Bell came to pit road for service at lap 73, taking on tires, fuel and making another track bar adjustment. Quick work on pit road allowed the No. 50 to return to the track for the restart in the fifth position.

Bell continued to run inside the top-10 until lap 130, when he reported to the Heathcliff's crew that he had a right rear tire going down. Bell ducked on to pit road for four tires, but was caught speeding on pit entrance and was given a pass-through penalty from NASCAR. Bell found himself wondering what could have been, as he was now three laps down to the leaders.

Managing to pick up two positions before the checkered flag dropped, Bell was forced to settle for a 22nd place finish.

"What can you say other than what a disappointment," said Bell. "We had such a great truck today and things really seemed to be going our way. Our pit strategy had us in great position, but we cut a tire and that was the end of it. We had a great Ford F-150 today, the guys did an awesome job getting it set up for the race. It was great that we got to show what we're capable of, but it's so upsetting that the finish won't show the run we had."

Bell and the No. 50 Heathcliff's Cat Litter team sit 16th in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series owner point standings, 378 points out of first place.

The NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series competes next at Lowe's Motor Speedway on May 18.