Fowler Finishes 13th In Camping World East Debut With Schrader Racing
Georgia Driver Runs in the Top 10 in Late Stages of the Event
FROM TEAM PR: After so much success in Late Models, Quarter Midgets, Bandoleros, and Legend cars, 16-year old Kyle Fowler decided it was time to take the next step in his career. With help from Ken Schrader Racing, the Georgia native made his debut in NASCAR’s premier development series – the Camping World Series East – and posted a respectable 13th place finish.
“I definitely learned a lot from this experience. These cars are a little bit different than what I’m normally driving – a little bit heavier and a little bit more power – and I’m still trying to figure out exactly everything I need to do in them. It was great to be able to run with these guys and I’m ready to go to the next one,” he said. “I have to thank Mr. Schrader for giving me this opportunity and I have to thank the crew for all the hard work and effort they put in.”
Fowler kicked off the day by wheeling the No. 52 Georgia Western/Techniweld Chevrolet to a speed of 85.791 mph (16.785 seconds) in qualifying to earn a 19th place starting position. Entering the race, Fowler’s goal was to get out there, get some experience, and bring the car home in one piece.
Fowler was competitive from the drop of the green and started his way up through the field. By the time the first caution flew at lap 12, Fowler was already in the top-15. He continued his torrid pace and, at lap 30, was battling the 37 car of Alex Kennedy for the 12th spot when Fowler spun in three and four. There wasn’t any extensive damage, but the Georgia Western Chevrolet would restart the race at the tail end of the field.
“We started 17th and that’s not where we really wanted to qualify but we knew this car would race good so we just decided to go towards the front and pick one car at a time. We were just trying not to wrinkle any fenders and not make anybody mad – this is my first race in this series and I think we had a pretty successful run considering,” explained Fowler. “After that (spin), we just had to make our way back up through the field.”
Fowler made it back into the top-15 by the 100-lap mark and was still marching forward. He made it just outside the top-10 before a string of caution periods hindered his progress.
“We were probably 9th or 10th when we got to the green-white-checker’s and we lost position on every one of those because guys were wrecking. It was a crazy finish,” he concluded.
Fowler took the checkers in the 13th spot and a sense of accomplishment for his debut. He hopes to run a few more Camping World Series East races before the end of the season.
