KANSAS CITY, KS – Sometimes the best finishes aren’t the prettiest ones, as NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series driver, Chris Wimmer, discovered during the O’Reilly Auto Parts 250 at Kansas Speedway Saturday. Despite having a truck that only had high gear due to a transmission failure early in the race, the Wisconsin native was able to take the checkered flag 18th thanks to using his head behind the wheel and avoiding the wrecks that brought out a record 10 caution flags.

“It may not have been the show we wanted to put on, but we’ll take it,” said Wimmer after completing his longest-ever race, both in length of time and track size. “It was discouraging at times, but (MB Motorsports owner/crew chief) Mike (Mittler) kept talking to me all day, reminding me of the big picture and to just stay smart during the race, don’t overdrive the truck, and wait for things to unfold on the track.”

Things definitely unfolded on the track with forty-four laps of the 167 run under caution due to an unusually high number of accidents that took out several competitors. Mittler said Wimmer was not pleased with his performance Saturday and stated it would come as a shock if Wimmer were happy with the race.

“Chris is a racer and racer’s want to race,” said Mittler. “I know that sounds kind of simplistic, but it’s true. Like any other hungry driver, he wanted to go out there and lead every lap and win the race, but sometimes, that’s just not possible. Today was one of those times.

“But the fact that he was driving in what could have been a terminally-wounded truck with people wrecking everywhere around him and he was still able to bring home another top-20 for the team,” he continued, “to me, that’s pretty impressive. I keep saying he’s one of the smartest drivers out there and he keeps proving me right.”

Wimmer’s next race is the Built Ford Tough 225 presented by the Greater Cincinnati Ford Dealers to be held at the Kentucky Speedway in Sparta, Ky. The race will be carried live by SPEED Channel beginning at 7 p.m. local time and by MRN Radio at 6:30 p.m. local time.