Mason Massey, Driver of the No. 19 NAPA Auto Care Chevrolet SS – Bill McAnally Racing Photo
Promising Points Day Turns Sour at Sonoma
Mason Massey finished 19th in Friday’s General Tire 150 at Sonoma
Raceway after a mechanical issue ended a promising run in just his
second career road course start. The Bill McAnally Racing (BMR) driver
qualified fourth despite dealing with a significant right rear tire rub
during ARCA Menards Series West (AMSW) practice and showed speed
throughout the opening half of the 47 lap race.
Massey held fourth through the opening green flag run before moving into
third on the outside entering turn one following the lap 14 restart. He
recorded his fastest lap of the race on lap 15 and remained in the lead
pack as positions inside the top seven stayed tightly contested. Massey
was running fifth when the scheduled halfway caution flew on lap 25.
During the break, the No. 19 NAPA Auto Care team replaced the right rear
axle after Massey reported the car was tight in the right hand corners
and had developed a vibration.
Restarting fourth on lap 27, Massey took over third coming off turn
three before a broken rear gear ended his charge. The issue sent Massey
wide entering turn seven, where he brought the car to a stop on the
track to bring out the caution on lap 28. The team returned the No. 19
Chevrolet SS to the garage for repairs, and Massey was credited with a
19th place finish.
Mason Massey Quote:
“Frustrating day for this NAPA Auto Care team. I was really encouraged
by the speed we had and to be racing for a podium position in just my
second road course start. We were in a great spot to come away with a
strong points day before the mechanical issue ended our race. We’ll keep
controlling what we can control and be ready to take on another road
course next month in Portland.”