NASCAR Xfinity Series: Brandon Hightower – 2018 Overton’s 300 highlights
By Mark Kristl
Thank you, Brandon Hightower!
My father and I want to thank Brandon Hightower for the experience. We learned many things and enjoyed an awesome once in a lifetime experience. During the race, crew chief Chuck Herman took off his headset and asked me if I was having fun. I smiled and said yes.
I asked him, “What is the ideal time for pit stops for the pit crew?” He said, “15 seconds,” and remarked the previous pit stop came close to their goal. Again, the members of this pit crew do not train together. Pit crews of top-notch teams like JR Motorsports and Joe Gibbs Racing train together.
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There are 18 remaining races left in the 2018 NASCAR Xfinity Series season. Of those 18 races, eight of them are at tracks at which Hightower has never competed in his NASCAR career. Specifically, he has never raced at Kentucky, New Hampshire, Darlington, Indianapolis, and the three road courses of Watkins Glen, Mid-Ohio and Road America. Those are daunting tracks, and Hightower will learn them all when he races his #55 Toyota.
At the end of the Overton’s 300, Hightower sits 40th in points, seven spots behind teammate Josh Bilicki. Because he did not compete in the first 10 races, owners points are a better indication of the performance of the #55 JP Motorsports entry. The #55 Toyota is 38th in owners points.
The #45 Toyota, which Josh Bilicki has driven full-time all season and will continue to do so, is 35th. Hightower competed with a full set of brand new Goodyear tires, his odds of racing with the top teams would improve.
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Brandon Hightower is a genuine, friendly driver. At age 20, he owns his own business, owns his own motor home and competes in the Xfinity Series. I wish him all the best throughout the rest of the season. Hightower and the rest of the Xfinity Series field will next race at Daytona International Speedway. The Coca-Cola Firecracker 250 will take place on July 6. NBC Sports Network is set to broadcast the race live beginning at 7:30 p.m. ET.