Kobyluck Leads Some Laps, Finishes 10th At Tri-County

Hudson, N.C. (April 27, 2009): Matt Kobyluck is typically a strong driver on a short track, and all indications pointed that he would remain that way as the NASCAR Camping World Series East embarked on Tri County Speedway in North Carolina for their inaugural visit. After a strong qualifying effort and leading 59 laps of the race, Kobyluck struggled in the second half with an ill-handling Mohegan Sun Chevrolet. The Uncasville, Conn. driver was able to persevere through it and post his 14th consecutive top-10 finish.

“I’ve never experienced what I have experienced in the last two races. Usually what we have at the beginning of the race is what I have at the end of the race, but the car has been getting worse and worse and worse as the race goes on,” Kobyluck said. “It’s really concerning me a tremendous amount. Short tracks have always been our strong point. I should have won that race if the car had stayed but for some reason it didn’t stay and this is all new to us.”

The crew spent two 45 minute practice sessions adjusting on the No. 40 Mohegan Sun Chevrolet and their efforts had seemed to pay off. In qualifying, Kobyluck turned a lap of 16.682 seconds (86.321 mph) to earn a sixth place starting position. They were extremely confident heading into the race.

Kobyluck was solid too at the drop of the green flag – moving into second by lap six. A caution tightened up the field for a restart at lap 16 with the Mohegan Sun Casino Chevrolet right on the front row. Kobyluck jumped right to the front and led the field for the next 59 laps.

Eventual race-winner Matt DiBenedetto had reeled in the Mohegan Sun Chevrolet several laps before and was riding nose-to-tail with Kobyluck. DiBenedetto made a run on the bottom in turn two to attempt to knock Kobyluck out of the lead, but the defending champion was able to hold him off. DiBenedetto was persistent and stayed on the bottom as Austin Dillon pressured Kobyluck from behind. After several failed attempts, DiBenedetto took the lead at lap 76 at the line.

“I was on the way back at that point and I was just holding on,” he admitted. “I was doing the best that I could to maintain my position but he obviously had a better car than me at that point, and I wasn’t going to hold up somebody that I shouldn’t be holding up.”

Kobyluck wrestled with the car the entire second half of the race, but was able to hold on for a tenth place finish.