FORTH WORTH (November 1, 2014) – After claiming his career-best finish in his last NASCAR Camping World Truck Series (NCWTS) race with Turner Scott Motorsports (TSM), Tayler Malsam made his return to Texas Motor Speedway with his sights set on a victory. An unfortunate qualifying run, however, followed by two incidents during the race resulted in a 21st-place finish in his fifth-career start in the Lone Star State.
Equipped with a solid Outerwall Chevrolet Silverado following the weekend’s two practice sessions, Malsam was forced to settle with a 19th-place starting spot when time ran out during the second round of knockout qualifying. As the green flag waved on a chilly Texas night, Malsam gained one position before the first caution flag waved on lap 22. Telling crew chief Mike Hillman Jr. that he was super tight, Malsam came to pit road for four tires and fuel before rejoining the field in the 18th position. Still dealing with a tight machine nearly 50 laps later, Hillman brought Malsam down pit road under green-flag conditions for four new tires and fuel. Going a lap down following the stop due to a flat tire, the second caution arose on lap 77 and Malsam was the beneficiary of the free pass. Hillman called the No. 32 truck back to pit road for a quick splash of fuel before rejoining the field. The yellow flag waved once again on lap 97 and Malsam told Hillman he was now too free. After receiving four new tires and fuel, along with a small adjustment, Malsam restarted in the 11th position. Shortly after, Malsam got caught in a large patch of oil when another competitor blew an engine in front of him, causing his Outerwall Chevy to spin across the slick track. With very slight damage to the right rear, Hillman called Malsam to pit road for four tires, fuel and a small repair. Good to go and ready to fight his way back, Malsam restarted in the 17th position. With nine laps to go, however, a competitor in front of Malsam drastically slowed down, forcing the No. 32 truck to make a quick move down and into another competitor. Malsam drove his machine back to pit road for four tires and repairs, returning to the field in the 20th position with a damaged right side and 20-lap tires. Despite a solid effort by the Malsam and the No. 32 Outerwall team, the series of unfortunate events left them with a 21st-place finish when the checkered flag waved.