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Race Recap: Atlanta Motor Speedway

Anthony Alfredo, No. 17 Ceco Building Systems Toyota Tundra
Practice:  9th
Qualifying:  (rained out)
Race Result: 17th

Race Recap: 
Anthony Alfredo had an impressive outing in his NASCAR Gander Outdoors Truck Series debut over the weekend at Atlanta (Ga.) Motor Speedway. The 19-year-old Ridgefield, Conn. native was shuffled back on a late race restarted, relegating him to a 17th-place finish after running inside the top-10.

Alfredo was forced to start 27th in Saturday's Atlanta 200 when qualifying was rained out. NASCAR set the starting order by 2018 Owner Points, which put Alfredo and his No. 17 Ceco Building System Tundra towards the back of the field. By lap 25, Alfredo had worked himself up to the 18th position, and he went on to finish 16th in Stage 1. Stage 2 was uneventful for the Gander Outdoors Truck Series Rookie; he went on to finish 16th in Stage 2 as well. Alfredo picked up some spots on pit road under the stage ending caution where he restarted 13th and went to work on the field when the green flag flew. A caution came out with 13 laps to go in the 130 lap race, and Alfredo restarted from the 10th position. NASCAR was forced to bring all trucks to pit road under red flag conditions as a heavy mist began to fall. Once the track was dry, the race went back to green flag racing where Alfredo restarted 10th. On the late-race restart, the truck in front of him stalled causing a stack-up on the inside lane, relegating Alfredo to a 17th-place finish.

Alfredo will be back in the No. 17 Ceco Building Systems Toyota Tundra this week at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

Alfredo on Atlanta: "Atlanta was a great start to the 2019 season for us. We unloaded fast and by the end of final practice were top 10 quick. Unfortunately, qualifying was rained out, and we had to start by last year's points which the number 17 did not have many of. We worked our way all the way into the top 10 and restarted there on the final restart with less than 10 laps to go. The truck in front of me spun its tires, and I couldn't do anything but lift off the gas since if you pull out of line before the start-finish line, you get a black flag and penalty. That ruined our shot at an awesome top 10 run, but still a great night overall with great takeaways heading into Vegas. I am thankful for my family, partners, and DGR-Crosley for making this possible. I already can't wait to get back on track this weekend."


Natalie Decker, No. 54 N29 Technologies Toyota Tundra
Practice: 27th
Qualifying:   (rained out)
Race Result: 24th

Race Recap: Natalie Decker and the No. 54 N29 Technologies team brought home a 24th-place finish in her first NASCAR Gander Outdoors Truck Series start at Atlanta (Ga.) Motor Speedway.

Decker took to the mile and a half track on Friday afternoon for the first time in her young career. She used both practice sessions to learn her way around the track. When qualifying rolled around, rain in the area forced NASCAR Officials to cancel qualifying and set the starting lineup per the rule book. This allowed Decker to start the 130 lap race from the 16th position.

The green flag flew and shortly after, Decker made slight contact with another truck sending her spinning into the front stretch grass. Decker was forced to limp her Toyota Racing Tundra around the mile and a half track to make it back to pit road for repairs. She lost two laps after the incident and finished Stage 1 in the 27th position. During Stage 2, Decker started from the back but was able to learn how to pass trucks and navigate traffic. She went on to finish 27th in Stage 2, as well. During Stage 3, Decker was able to gain a few more spots, earning a 25th-place finish in her first trip to Atlanta Motor Speedway.

Decker will be back in the No. 54 N29 Technologies Toyota Tundra Friday night at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
 
Decker on Atlanta: "Atlanta was definitely the hardest track that I've ever been to, but I feel like I learned a lot this weekend.  It was a bummer that I got spun out right away. That put us two laps down, and at a track like Atlanta, it's tough to recover once you go laps down. One positive of being in the back was that I was able to be back there and learn how to pass trucks and navigate traffic. I really think that the experience of learning how to pass will help us a lot in Vegas. Initially, I wasn't even supposed to race in Atlanta, but I'm glad that we did so that I could get some more laps and experience before we head to Vegas." 

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     Alfredo, No. 17 Toyota Tundra                                   Decker, No. 54 Toyota Tundra
 

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