Travis Kvapil Bumped Out of First at Texas Motor Speedway

Travis Kvapil started third at Texas Motor Speedway and it looked like the No.6 K&N Filters Team was going to win big at Friday night’s NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race.

Driver Travis Kvapil Driver Travis Kvapil
K&N Filters Team
K&N Filters Team
The K&N Filters F-150 was strong in both practice and qualifying sessions on Thursday and a win looked promising for Kvapil. Friday’s race was full of cautions with the second one hitting on lap 16. Most of the field pitted while Kvapil stayed out and took over the lead for the re-start on lap 24.
No. 6 K&N Filters Ford F-150 No.6 K&N Filters Ford F-150
Travis Kvapil fights his way to the front
Travis Kvapil fights his way to the front

Kvapil charged ahead and one by one the No. 6 picked off the competition. The Wisconsin native crossed the line 21st on lap 37 then went three-wide gaining three positions and moving into 18th on lap 39. By lap 47 Kvapil was in the top 15 and on lap 59 he returned to the top 10.

On lap 87 Kvapil returned to the track from pit road in third for the re-start and chased down the lead. He moved into second but the truck needed more rear grip. Crew chief Mike Beam organized the K&N Team and called for Kvapil to pit for the final time on lap 150. Kvapil returned to the track in second, but the fifth caution flew just four laps later. The field came down for tires and fuel, but Beam and Kvapil made the call to stay on the track and assume the first place position.

With only five laps remaining, Kvapil led Todd Bodine and the rest of the field around the track. As they came across the line for the second time, Bodine tapped Kvapil from behind and sent him spinning. Kvapil almost had the K&N Filters F-150 ready to return when he hit the interior wall. There was damage to the radiator and the nose of the truck but Kvapil crossed the finish line in sixth place. The crowd booed Bodine as he went on to win.

“Our K&N Ford was awesome,” said Kvapil. “We fought for position all night long and had a great truck. It handled really well. I wanted to win so bad, in the end it was just one of those things, it was just bad timing.”

Kvapil is currently sixth in points in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series point standings, just 12 points away from fifth. The team race next week at Michigan International Speedway.

Follow Travis Kvapil's progress throughout the racing season at the K&N news site. Find K&N products for your vehicle using the K&N application search then use the K&N dealer search to find a K&N dealer in your part of the world.