(Bristol, TN.) Needing to get back on track in the NASCAR Busch Series championship chase, ACDelco Chevrolet driver Ron Hornaday stepped up and delivered a second-place finish at Bristol Motor Speedway (BMS).

There is nothing more exciting in all of NASCAR racing than the night race at Bristol Motor Speedway.  Even for the NASCAR Busch Series (NBS), Bristol’s night race is one of the toughest tickets all season. 

The weekend got off to a decent start for the ACDelco team.  Hornaday was 12^th fastest in the morning practice and the car was just a tick free.  In qualifying, Hornaday posted the 14^th fastest time of the day at 15.493 seconds.  As he exited the car, Hornaday told crew chief Rick Viers that the car was really good, but that it did not do what he thought it would once he got in the corners.  “The car was great,” Hornaday said.  “It just caught me off guard a little.  If I had known that was how it would take a set, I would have driven the corner differently.  But it was a good run for the ACDelco Chevrolet.”  Jason Keller broke the NBS track record and won the pole at 15.226 seconds.

The final practice of the day was even more encouraging for the ACDelco driver and crew.  Hornaday got better and better as the practice wore on.  On 80-lap tires, Hornaday was running as fast as other drivers on 30-lap tires.  After watching teammate Kevin Harvick’s strategy in the NASCAR Truck Series event the night before, Viers and Hornaday planned to pit early and stay out.  That would mean long runs on the tires and Hornaday’s car was perfect for long runs.

Under clear skies, with just a hint of rain in the forecast, 43 cars fired their engines to start the Food City 250 at BMS.  At the drop of the green, Hornaday got trapped on the outside lane and fell back in the field, before finally getting in line in 17^th position.  It didn’t take long for the first caution flag to wave.  On lap 16, Mike Bliss got turned around by Johnny Sauter and hit the wall.  Hornaday made his way past some cars that checked up for the crash and was 13^th.

In typical Bristol fashion, the night was filled with cautions.  On lap 26, Casey Mears and Brad Baker made contact, with Baker getting a Bristol wall sandwich in turn two.  At the other end of the track, Joey Clanton took out Stacy Compton and Jeff Fuller.  Hornaday avoided both wrecks and was 11^th.

While the field was slowed by cautions every 15 laps or so, Hornaday managed to steer clear of trouble during the early stages.  His car was loose off the corner and when the ACDelco Chevy made its pit stop on lap 67, the crew made the adjustment that propelled Hornaday to the front.  It was an awesome stop for the No. 2 crew.  They changed all four tires, put in a half round of wedge in the left rear and took one pound of air out of the right rear.  They did all this in 14.13 seconds.

Hornaday restarted 21^st because of the stop, but it did not take long to realize that the car had come alive.  By lap 72, he was 18^th and charging to the front.  “This car is awesome,” said Hornaday.  “Great job Ricky.  I think we have something for them now.

On lap 106, the leaders made their first stop of the day.  Michael Waltrip, Kevin Harvick, and Tony Raines pitted, handing the lead over to Brian Vickers, who had not stopped.  Hornaday was now third.

On the restart, Hornaday got a run on Scott Riggs and easily took over second place.  On lap 142, Jason Schuler got spun in turn three bringing out the caution.  Vickers hit pit road for his stop and Hornaday took over the lead.  He held the lead for the next 41 laps.

While Hornaday was dominating up front, Waltrip was closing in.  By lap 159, Waltrip made his way to fifth.  Hornaday continued to set the pace, but it was apparent that there was one car faster than the ACDelco Chevrolet. 

On lap 174, Clanton hit the wall bringing out the caution.  Hornaday was still in the lead, but Waltrip was now second.  It set up a battle of restarts.  On the restart, Hornaday pulled away.  But within three laps Waltrip had caught the No. 2.  On lap 185, Waltrip got by Hornaday.  Hornaday kept the pressure on the No. 99 Chevy.  On lap 197, Sauter spun in turn four bringing out the caution.  Waltrip led Hornaday and Matt Kenseth.

On the restart, Hornaday made his way to the inside of Waltrip and took over the lead.  The very next lap, Kenseth got by Waltrip and challenged Hornaday in turn one.  Kenseth made contact with the left rear of Hornaday, which caused the No. 2 Chevy to wiggle.  Kenseth had to check-up and Waltrip hit the back of Kenseth, spinning the No. 17, bringing out the caution.

Hornaday did his best to hold off Waltrip, but on lap 217, Waltrip got by Hornaday for good and went on to the win.  Hornaday held off a charging Ted Musgrave for second place.  It was a great run for the ACDelco Chevrolet.  “We weren’t the fastest car out there tonight, but we played the strategy correctly,” said Hornaday.  “I have to thank all the folks from ACDelco for sticking with us.  We are back in the hunt for the championship.”  Indeed they are.  Hornaday is now third in NBS points, just 97 markers out of first with 10 races to go.

The next race for Ron Hornaday and the ACDelco Chevrolet Monte Carlo is Saturday, August 30th, at Darlington Raceway.  In the spring race at Darlington, Hornaday finished ninth.