Hopes were high coming into MIS, as the team tested for two days at the 2.0-mile d-shaped track. But from the time the ACDelco Monte Carlo unloaded, the team was just a bit off. Hornaday was 17th fastest during the first hour of practice. A strong band of rain showers hit the area in hour two and stayed for the entire day. All of practice was washed away and qualifying was cancelled as well. The starting positions were set by owner’s points, putting the ACDelco Chevy seventh on the grid. Martin Truex, Jr. was placed on the Busch Pole.

The conditions on race day were perfect. Sunny skies and low 70 degree temperatures made the weather ideal for the teams and drivers. At the drop of the green flag the field spread out on the wide front stretch and Hornaday attempted to gain a few spots, but could not. On lap four, the caution waved for the first time for contact between Matt Kenseth and Michael Waltrip. Hornaday told crew chief Butch Hylton that the car was tight.

On the restart, Hornaday was slow to get up to speed and was passed by Mike Bliss. The tight condition hurt the “blue deuce” and Hornaday fell back to 10th. On lap 20, the field was slowed by a competition caution. NASCAR announced the caution in the drivers meeting to allow the teams to check the tire wear, since there had been very little practice time. Hornaday hit pit road and changed four tires and pulled a rubber out of the left rear to help get the front end to turn. He left pit road in the 14th position.

When the race went back to green, Hornaday again slipped back into the pack. The change to the chassis made the car feel like it was on ice. “I’m loose everywhere!” said Hornaday. On lap 43, Stacy Compton and Tracy Hines got together in turn four bringing out the caution. Hornaday hit pit road and the team changed four tires with an air pressure adjustment to help the loose condition.

The ACDelco Chevrolet was never a contender at all. The team had missed the setup and Hornaday just had to bring home the best finish he could. He fell out of the top-20 on lap 55. A series of yellow flags allowed the ACDelco team to try a new strategy. Hornaday hit pit road on each yellow and topped off the fuel cell. On lap 69, Hornaday was the only car that could go the distance on fuel.

Although Hornaday had fuel on his side, the handling of the car was not. On lap 85, Hornaday and Justin Labonte made contact in turn four sending Hornaday into a spin. The ACDelco car spun into the grass, but never made contact with the wall. With four flat tires, Hornaday nursed the car around to pit road. The crew fixed the slight damage from the tire coming apart and sent him back into the race. Hornaday was now 32nd.

With fresh tires, Hornaday was able to work his way back up through the pack. By lap 100, he was 23rd. On Lap 108, he took over 20th. But he ran out of laps. The checkered flag waved and Hornaday finished 18th. It was a battle all day, but one that the “Real Car Guys” never gave in to. The team’s failure to quit allowed Hornaday to score valuable points. Hornaday moved up one position in points to fifth, 538 points out of first.

The race for the win was not much of a race. Kyle Busch drove away from the field and won by nearly half a straightaway. It was his second straight win. Mark Martin finished second and Truex, Jr. finished third. Truex, Jr. continues to lead the championship standings with Busch second and Jason Leffler in third.

The next race for the NASCAR Busch Series is Friday night, August 27 at Bristol Motor Speedway. Hornaday finished second in last years race.