Salem Speedway has become a second home for Thomas “Moose” Praytor with the Mobile, Alabama native making more starts at Salem than at any other track on the tour.
“I really like going to Salem so much history and really a bad ass race track!”
Off the trailer the team fought finding grip and the brakes that had been completely rebuilt since Nashville.
“Our brakes have really been frustrating this season. We rebuilt and replaced we thought almost everything. We did make it better but still not what we needed.
The DK-LOK Ford would time in 18th for the Kentuckiana Ford Dealers 200 fueled by the Hoosier Lottery.
Praytor and buddy Mike Basham raced hard in the early going before brake issues led to Basham taking the spot.
“Mike had a good car, they blew a motor in qualifying went back home changed it out and were ready to race on Sunday.”
The early portions of the 200 laps were uneventful as everyone settled in and were racing hard. A lap 80 caution brought Praytor to pit road and 4 tires looking for some more grip.
“Tires worked for a little while and we got some ground back but it didn’t cure all of our problems.”
Past the halfway mark Praytor and his DK-LOK Ford got the lucky dog, getting a lap back.
“We came in for 2 more tires and made some adjustments continuing to work on the handling of our Ford.”
Under green, Praytor was able to pick up the pace and was making tracks.
As the laps wound down the right front upper control arm mount broke sending the Moose in to the outside retaining wall pancaking the right side of the DK-LOK Ford, settling for 19th.
“We had a decent car but not what we were looking for. Our DK-LOK Ford has us guessing on our brakes, our UNOH Kids really got their feet wet this weekend and had some decent stops. I think we have 3 weeks of work to do get ready for Talladega!”
Top Pic: UNOH Gang making 4 tire stop
Bottom: Pancaked post race