After a three-week layoff, young racing phenomenon, Kyle Hall was anxious to jump back into the cockpit of his No. 69 First Command Financial Monte Carlo. After one practice round, the driver and car were ready to go out and race.

After making only minor setup changes, the 69 team believed that they had a car that could get to the front of the pack, and stay there. After making his qualifying run, Hall thought his car still had more. However, the qualifying time was good enough to put the 69 in the lead and Hall and his crew took their first pole of the year.

By qualifying on the pole, Hall started up front in the first of two 40-lap races. However, because of a 6-car invert, the 69 was forced to start in the 6th position, making a run for the checker more difficult.

As soon as the green flag flew, one of the slower inverted cars missed a shift and caused the entire outside line to stack up behind him. Hall got on the brakes, but not before the 69 suffered a dented hood, limiting Hall’s view of the track. The race was red-flagged until the mess was cleaned up. Once the green flag flew the race was on. Hall moved past the 5th in only four laps. The 69 was on the move, chasing down the 3rd spot when Hall was hit from behind, spinning him around. Hall managed to save the car and ended up in the 12th position. Racing his hardest, Hall was able to get his car into 6th place.

Hall made a charge for 5th, the car dropped down on him as he was trying to pass and both cars were spun. Once again, Hall ended up at the back of the pack, this time with only 15 short laps to go. The 69 raced around 7 more cars finishing 5th, but with a seriously damaged race car.

There was time between the two 40-lap features, so the 69 crew went to work and were able to make some substantial changes to the car. Race-ready, Hall was able to start in first, because of a 5 car invert.

When the green flag flew, Hall pushed the 69 to its limits. Despite the fact that it was not handling as well as it had, Hall was able to distance himself from the rest of the field. With no cautions during the entire race, Hall was able to put distance between the 69 and the second place car. Hall won by nearly 4.5 seconds.

Hall’s main goal for the next race at Southern National Raceway Park is to try and walk away with two first place finishes.