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Dave Mason Jr. Returns to the Podium in Round 3, Photo Credit: JW Power Media
Dave Mason Jr. qualified the eBay Motors #65 just behind short course veterans for Saturday's Round #3 held at Glen Helen Raceway in San Bernardino, Calif. Lap by lap he contended for a podium position. It appeared Mason was headed for a 4th place finish as the leaders began to pull away. But never giving up, he gained the 3rd place truck and made the crowd stand on their feet with an impressive final lap pass for a spot on the podium.
"There's nothing like the last minute," stated Dave Mason Jr. after making the incredible last-lap pass.
Dave Jr. Setting up for the Last Lap Pass to put the eBay Motors Pro2 on the Podium, Photo Credit: JW Power Media
"That was a tough race," said Mason. "We are making improvements in both the truck and my driving every time we go out. We just need to find a little more speed. I have all the confidence in the world that this eBay Motors team will find it tonight and be ready to challenge for the win tomorrow."
Back at the eBay Motors Pit area, the Crew makes improvements for Sunday's Round #4, Photo Credit: JW Power Media
The hard work on Saturday night by the eBay Motors team paid off in Sunday's Round #4. Mason was the fast-time qualifier on Sunday and set a new track record of 53.180. After the inversion set by the GAS Series, Mason started Sunday's race in 4th position.
Dave Mason Jr. with a big Smile After Setting the Fast Time and New Track Record, Photo Credit: JW Power Media
From the drop of the green flag, Dave Jr. made quick work of the trucks in front of him and settled into 2nd place. Mason was contending for the lead in the early laps of the race and buying time until the halfway competition caution. Unfortunately, some of the contact made with other trucks on the initial laps of the race cut the right rear tire. Mason had no choice but to make a green flag pit stop for the tire change.
What would normally have been a quick tire change was delayed by a jammed pit gun. The bad luck sent Mason 1-lap down. He was able to get back on track and battled through the field crossing the finish line in the 2nd position, but still one lap down from the leader. Mason was able to salvage a top-5 finish and increase his overall point championship lead.
Mason Battling for the Front of the Pack, Photo Credit: JW Power Media
"We made huge gains by adding Maxxis Tires to our program. Setting the track record is part setup, part driver, but the new tire package we are running made a huge difference," expressed Mason Jr. "While we had some tough obstacles this weekend we still made improvements and we are finding speed every time we go on track. I have the best team of people around me and the greatest sponsors with eBay Motors and Maxxis Tires. We really have a special thing going here."
"One of our main goals for these rounds of racing was to uphold our Points Championship lead, and we did that. We can't let our guard down though. We will be doing more testing and striving for improvement at all facets of the team."
