Texas NXS Race Report
Race 14 of 33: Alsco Uniforms 250
Location: Texas Motor Speedway (1.5-mile oval)
Format: 167 laps / 250.5 miles
Buford’s Finish: 16th
Jade Buford and the No. 48 Big Machine Vodka Spiked Coolers team survived the caution-filled NASCAR Xfinity Series race on Saturday at Texas Motor Speedway to bring home a 16th-place finish. The 167-lap event marked Buford’s first start on the Texas oval and he drove a smart race, battling hard in the final laps to earn his fourth consecutive top-20 finish.
After a top-15 result at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course last weekend, Buford rolled off the grid from the 13th position. During the first stage, the NASCAR Rookie of the Year contender dropped back a few positions as he took the time to learn the 1.5-mile track. Running in 23rd at the time of the lap-20 competition caution, Buford relayed to the team that the No. 48 Chevy was pretty good. Opting to stay out and maintain track position, the Big Machine Racing driver restarted just outside of the top 20 and took the green-and-white checkered flag to end Stage One in the 23rdposition.
Under the stage-ending caution, crew chief Patrick Donahue called Buford in for four tires, fuel and a wedge adjustment. A fast stop allowed the team to pick up three spots on pit road. Buford took the green flag for Stage Two in the 20th position on lap 47 and was running in that same spot when a caution came out on lap 61. After staying out on the track under the yellow flag while a few teams opted to pit, Buford lined up 16th for the lap-77 restart. He held on to the position initially, but ultimately fresher tires prevailed, and Buford finished the second stage in 20th on lap 80.
Prior to the start of the final stage Buford brought the No. 48 Big Machine Vodka Spiked Coolers Camaro to pit road for four tires and fuel. He lined up just outside the top 20 on lap 87 and was starting to work his way forward when another caution flag waved on lap 90. Once back under green, Buford methodically advanced his position to as high as 18th and was running in 20th when another caution flag waved. Donahue called Buford in for four tires, fuel and an air-pressure adjustment and he restarted inside the top 20 on lap 114.
Buford continued to battle for position as multiple cautions ensued. During a lap-133 caution period the team opted to bring the No. 48 Chevy in for their final set of fresh tires and Buford restarted in 23rd with 29 laps to go. Once again, the Nashville, Tenn. native continued his climb forward and was up 19th when another caution flag came out with 10 laps to go. After another late yellow flag, the race was sent into overtime. Buford drove hard in the final laps to bring the Big Machine Spiked Coolers Camaro home with a 16th-place finish.
Jade Buford, driver of the No. 48 Big Machine Vodka Spiked Coolers Chevrolet:
“Texas is a fast track and I’m impressed with how well we were able to perform today even with it being my first start there. We drove a smart race as a team and things are really starting to come together for us. I know it’s not going to be long before we’re bring home top-15 finishes on a consistent basis. I’m already looking forward to Nashville next weekend.”
Next Up:
The NASCAR Xfinity Series heads to Nashville Superspeedway for the Tennessee Lottery 250 on Saturday, June 19. Tune in to NBCSN at 3:30 p.m. ET.