Preston Pardus takes on Indianapolis and learns a “big oval” for the first time! (Photo Credit: Preston Pardus | X)

Roulette Recap follows a randomly selected driver throughout a race to break down their efforts. There is no telling ahead of time how the race will go. The driver could face calamity on the opening lap or start from the rear and win the race. With that, may the odds be ever in the driver’s favor.

Pennzoil 250

Driver: Preston Pardus
Organization & Number: DGM Racing, #92
Crew Chief: Steve Addington
Spotter: Reed Sorenson
Qualified: P29

Stage 1

In the opening laps, there was a good deal of “jumping around,” according to spotter Reed Sorenson, and Preston Pardus fell to P34. But after gaining a spot, he was told to “settle in.”

Sorenson went on to coach his driver in making a pass on the 2.5-mile track.

By Lap 5, the field had stretched to mostly single file; however, a few drivers were attempting to make passes. Two laps later, Pardus made a pass to move to P31 with his eyes set on the No. 07 of Josh Bilicki. Sorenson told his driver he was better than the next four.

As Pardus settled in, he moved to P30. Just as quickly, he got around Brennan Poole. He was encouraged by Sorenson that clean air was in sight after passing one more car, his teammate, Mason Maggio.

Lap 18 brought clean air and Pardus in P28. He radioed in, “It’s not bad, just a bit snug.” Despite this, he was running the same lap times as the cars ahead of him.

The stage ended with Pardus in P28. He noted, “[The car] felt pretty good at the start, but then it built tight. When I get out of the gas, I have to wait on it…A little snug when I’m out of the gas,” and Steve Addington listed the coming changes.

(Photo Credit: Preston Pardus | X)

Stage 2

Following a pit stop, Pardus was tagged with a penalty for an uncontrolled tire and was forced to restart P35. Sorenson informed Pardus that two other penalty cars were ahead of Pardus, and they would “make holes” for the No. 92.

He made moves to claim two spots and found himself running P33 with 19 to go in the stage.

Twelve laps later, he was battling Lavar Scott for P32. After a lap, he earned the spot and set sail.

The first caution for an incident came with six to go when Garrett Smithley went spinning. This allowed Pardus to gain another spot in his battle back from the rear.

He informed his team that the car felt the same despite the changes. This caution saw the field come to pit road, including the No. 92.

Pardus returned to the track in P31 with three to go. It was door-to-door racing to end the stage, and he came out P30.

Addington brought his driver in to top off on fuel to make it to the end of the race.

Stage 3

Following the fuel-only stop, Pardus returned to the track in P33 with 33 to go. He worked through some roller-coaster laps, losing a position, then quickly regaining it, before returning to P33. After a battle with Ryan Ellis, he claimed P32.

With 17 to go, he got around Bilicki for P31.

Three laps later, Pardus radioed in, “I’m not sure if I’m blowing up or what.” He gave some more information to his team and was told, “Do what you can.”

He was afforded another spot when Jeremy Clements took to the pits.

The checkered flag waved, and Pardus brought home a P30 finish.

Pardus thanked his team and said, “That was definitely a learning experience!”

(Photo Credit: Preston Pardus | X)

NASCAR fans know sponsors make the sport go ’round. We want to give a shout-out to Chinchor Electric. They played a huge part in the weekend for the No. 45 team.

Be sure to give Preston Pardus (Facebook, Instagram, X) and DGM Racing (Facebook, Instagram, X) a follow to keep up with the latest news from the driver and team.