Race: Chevy Silverado 250 (Race 1 of 25)

Track: Daytona International Speedway

Date: Friday, Feb. 15, 2008

Started: 30th

Finish: 12th

Laps Completed: 100

Total Laps: 100

NCTS Points: 12th

Making his first attempt at a NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race, Phillip McGilton was extremely excited about racing in the season-opening Chevy Silverado 250 at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway.

Wednesday afternoon’s practice session was the first time aside from the pre-season testing sessions that McGilton had been aboard the No. 22 Miccosukee Resorts Tundra. He was ready to prove he had what it takes to drive in the big leagues. McGilton practiced well and finished the first practice session of the year with the second-fastest truck. He fared well again in the final practice session.

McGilton was the 17th driver to make a qualifying attempt, and he ran a lap of 52.444 seconds. It placed him in the 30th starting position for his first-ever NASCAR race.

As the green flag waved for the 100-lap race, McGilton remained calm and began to show his talent to the world. Within the first 10 laps, McGilton and his No. 22 Miccosukee Tundra had already picked up seven positions on the 2.5-mile track.

The first caution flag of the night waved on lap 11, and McGilton took his first trip down pit road. McGilton and his strong running Toyota Tundra restarted in the 22nd position after the four-tire stop.

McGilton maintained his track position well and narrowly avoided the second wreck of the night. Thinking he might have run over something, McGilton dove down pit road for four tires and fuel as a precaution. He restarted in the 13th position on lap 23 and charged his way into the top-10 by lap 33.

Driving his heart out and running an incredible race, the 29-year-old driver remained in the top-10 throughout the next 20 laps until he had to pit again. With the handling of the No. 22 Tundra becoming a little snug, the Miccosukee pit crew made an air pressure adjustment during the four-tire stop. The fast pit stop placed McGilton sixth on the grid for the lap 57 restart.

Despite the driver’s patience, the truck became worse with each passing lap. McGilton pitted under green flag conditions on lap 85. He fought to stay near the front of the field while the other drivers made their pit stops. He finished the race in the 12th position.

McGilton and his crew were pleased with the outcome of the Daytona race and can’t wait to hold their own again next weekend in California. The California race will be televised live Saturday, Feb. 23 on SPEED Channel.