By Sarah Handy, Staff Writer
The NASCAR Xfinity Series entered Richmond Raceway for the 27th event on the 2019 schedule last week. For DGM Racing’s Dillon Bassett the Go Bowling 250 marked just his fourth race of the season, and in the Xfinity Series as a whole, but it would be an event to remember.
During qualifying Bassett went for a wild ride as his No. 90 spun out in his warm up lap in Friday’s session. Having flat spotted his tires, the team was forced to change tires. Ultimately this decision meant Bassett had to start Friday evening’s event from the rear of the field.
This setback proved to be no problem for the young driver. Bassett quickly drove his No. 90 Bassett Gutters & More Superior Trailer Chevrolet into the Top-15 running order.
The North Carolina native finished stage one in the 15th position and stage two in the 14th position in only his second career Xfinity Series start at the Richmond, Virginia track.
Bassett is no stranger to solid finishes at Richmond, in his first career start which came at the track earlier this season he crossed the finish line with a 15th place result after starting deep in the field in 33rd.
His two starts that followed unfortunately ended in crashes. At Michigan he would finish last in 38th and at Iowa he was left with a disappointing 26th place finish after being involved in an incident with the sweeper truck. Disappointing results both times out considering Bassett qualified in the Top-20 for both events.
A 13th place finish is considered a win for Bassett and his DGM Racing team owned by Mario Gosselin. Small teams look for finishes like Bassett’s on Friday evening because anything that helps attract sponsorship and positive attention is a win.
“For what started off to be a rough night after a spin in qualifying, we were able to fight all night.” Bassett told Kickin’ The Tires. “Nathan Kennedy prepared a really fast car and made good adjustments all night to allow us to race alongside of some really good cars Huge accomplishment for a small team.”
“It’s extremely important and satisfying to take a “underdog” team and race with the series regular season champion, Joe Gibbs Racing (19), Kaulig Racing, and GMS. It goes to show that even the smaller teams deserve the opportunity just like the bigger teams.”
Solid night under the lights for @Dillon_Wayne44.
He brings it home an #XfinitySeries career-best 13th for @dgm_racing_. pic.twitter.com/eK9h4EN4mi
— Xfinity Racing (@XfinityRacing) September 21, 2019
Team owner Mario Gosselin weighed in on Bassett’s solid finish as well, telling Kickin’ The Tires, “We’re a low budget, underfunded team so finishes like Dillon’s mean a lot to us. Good finishes are extremely important because the extra exposure that comes with it, is what drives our team and sponsors. These finishes are so much more than just another stat.”