08-13-2007 | TruckSeries.com Report
Ryan Mathews had competed at Nashville (Tenn.) Superspeedway before this weekend, just not in a NASCAR Craftsman Truck. The young driver looked forward to having somewhat of an advantage over the other tracks on which he has raced this year. The team brought the same truck that carried Mathews to both his first career Bud Pole and his highest career finish (fourth) at Kentucky Speedway earlier this year. With a strong truck under him, Mathews was more than ready to get things underway at the 1.33 mile track. The truck washed up in the middle of the track during the first practice session Friday afternoon, so Mathews and his No. 22 Triad Racing Development Tundra had some work to do before the final practice session. The truck's handling became tight during that final practice session, meaning the No. 22 team had even more work to do before Saturday's qualifying session. Mathews was the fourth-to-last driver to qualify. He earned the 17th starting position with a lap of 30.545 seconds, his fastest lap of the weekend. Mathews immediately picked off positions upon the start of the race Saturday night. He raced into the 11th position by lap 40, but soon notified his crew that his Tundra could be much freer. The caution flag waved just three laps later, enabling Mathews to pit for four tires, fuel and an air pressure adjustment. Mathews restarted 10th on lap 47. Mathews maintained his position well before feeling something amiss at the rear of the truck. Thinking it was a right rear tire going flat, Mathews pitted under green flag conditions on lap 59 for two right side tires. He went a lap down to the leader in the process and had to fight his way back through the field. When the caution flag waved on lap 62, Mathews drove back down pit road for two left side tires. He restarted 29th on lap 68 and was on a mission to go after the lapped trucks in order to get back on the lead lap. Mathews drove hard into the corners and let his crew know that he was good in clean air. He came to the pits for four tires and fuel under caution on lap 111, then restarted 22nd on lap 115. With only 35 laps remaining, Mathews knew he would have to get to the front fast. Fighting his way through the lapped trucks and with a now free truck, Mathews returned to the lead lap after becoming the "lucky dog" when the caution flag waved on lap 122. Mathews battled hard after the restart and finished in the 16th position. Mathews will join the rest of the Craftsman Truck Series drivers at Bristol (Tenn.) Motor Speedway in two weeks. The race will be televised live on SPEED Wednesday, Aug. 22.