Pocono NXS Race Report
NASCAR Xfinity Series Race Report
Sunday, June 27, 2021
Race 16 of 33: Pocono Green 225
Location: Pocono Raceway (2.5-mile triangle)
Format: 90 laps / 225 miles
Buford’s Finish: 19th
Jade Buford and the No. 48 Big Machine Vodka Spiked Coolers team earned a hard-fought 19th-place finish in Sunday’s NASCAR Xfinity Series race at Pocono Raceway. The effort was Buford’s ninth top-20 finish of the season.
The 33-year-old driver rolled off the grid from the 29th position and was up to 23rd when the first caution flag of the race came out on lap 11. Staying out on the track, Buford restarted inside the top 20 on lap 17 and took the green-and-white checkered flag in 16th to end the first stage.
Under the stage-ending caution, crew chief Patrick Donahue called Buford to pit road for four tires and fuel. Taking the green flag for Stage Two from the 30th position, Buford battled his way to 25th before a multi-car incident brought out another quick caution flag. Back under green, Buford was racing for position when he cut a tire and had to bring the Big Machine Vodka Spiked Coolers Camaro to pit road for right side tires. Buford got back out on the track one lap down but received the free pass when a caution came out on lap 35.
During the caution period, the team took the opportunity to pit for two tires and fuel. Not wanting to abuse his tires in the closing laps of the second stage, Buford crossed the start/finish line in 33rd on lap 40 to end Stage Two. Buford opted not to pit during the stage break and lined up in 20th for the start of the final stage. Once the green flag was displayed, it didn’t take long for another incident to bring out the caution.
Buford restarted in 23rd on lap 50, and after a caution-filled first half of the race, a long green-flag run ensued. Once the fuel window opened, green flag pit stops got underway on lap 55. The team left Buford out on the track for as long as possible, finally calling him to pit road on lap 71 for four tires and fuel. After the pit stop, the Nashville, Tenn. native drove some of his fastest laps of the race. He advanced his position from 29th up to 19th before the checkered flag waved.
Jade Buford, driver of the No. 48 Big Machine Vodka Spiked Coolers Chevrolet:
“I’m proud of the effort our Big Machine Vodka Spiked Coolers team was able to put together today. We did not have an easy day by any means, but we were able to bounce back from everything we were up against and get another top-20 finish. Next weekend we head to Road America and I’m confident we can continue this positive momentum there.”
Next Up:
The NASCAR Xfinity Series heads to Road America for the Henry 180 on Sunday, July 3. Tune in to NBC at 2:30 p.m. ET.