Armstrong started the race from the 18th position. Before the field made it through Turn Two, a six car accident brought out the night's first caution. Everyone stayed out. The race restarted on Lap Eight with Armstrong in 18th position.

The race went green for 11 laps before the second caution of the night flew on Lap 19 for a single car wreck in Turn Three. Armstrong maintained 18th position during the short run. Armstrong reported the car was "a little tight through the center and loose on exit". Crew Chief Frankie Kerr told Armstrong to "hold on to it until we can pit." With a competition caution scheduled for Lap 50, Kerr told Armstrong to stay out to keep track position. The race restarted on Lap 24.

The tight condition worsened as the track continued to cool and the tire wore down. Armstrong fell back to 23rd position by Lap 37. Heavy traffic caused the field to check up. Armstrong made contact in the cluster of cars and suffered minor damage to the left front fender. Armstrong continued to race for 23rd spot as the third caution of the night came on Lap 45 for debris in Turn Two. Kerr called Armstrong to pit. The WinField crew made an air pressure adjustment, changed four tires, made a wedge adjustment, and pulled the damaged fender away from the tire. Despite the numerous adjustments, the WinField crew was able to pick up three spots on pit road. The race restarted on Lap 53 with Armstrong in 20th position.

The adjustments were immediately effective. Armstrong moved into 17th position just six laps after the restart. The track began to tighten up as the temperature dropped throughout the night. Armstrong dropped to 19th on Lap 80. Armstrong was eventually caught by the leaders on Lap 103 and went one lap down. Armstrong continued to fight for position until he reached his pit window.

Kerr called Armstrong to pit road on Lap 136. The WinField crew changed four tires, made a track bar adjustment, and topped off the fuel tank. During the pit stop, the fourth caution flag came out for a single car wreck in Turn Four. The caution happened just as green flag stops had begun. Several cars, including Armstrong, were caught two laps down while on pit road. The race restarted on Lap 144 with Armstrong in 24th position two laps down.

Armstrong raced his way into the 23rd position, the first car two laps down, as the fifth caution flag of the night came on Lap 161 for a spin on the front stretch. With just a few cars two laps down, Kerr sacrificed track position for the ability to make it to the end of the race without needing to stop again. The WinField crew changed four tires, filled the fuel tank, and made a track bar adjustment. The race restarted on Lap 168 with Armstrong in 24th position.

Armstrong immediately moved into the 23rd spot, the first car two laps down, on the restart. Kerr reminded Armstrong to not abuse the tires. Armstrong continued to race in the 23rd spot as the leaders caught him on Lap 209, putting the No. 43 WinField Ford three laps down. The final caution of the night came on Lap 217 for a single car wreck in Turn Three. Armstrong stayed out during the caution and took the wave around, regaining one of his lost laps. The race restarted on Lap 225 with Armstrong in the 22nd position,

As laps counted down, Armstrong moved into 21st position as others had to pit to make it to the end. Armstrong pursued the 20th place car but ran out of time as the checkered flag flew on Lap 250. Armstrong finished 21st two laps down.

"We had a good car during the afternoon heat in qualifying" said Armstrong. "The track tightened up as the temperature dropped throughout the evening. We made some good adjustments but had some bad luck fall our way. The caution on Lap 136 could not have come at a worse time. We were just finishing our green flag stop as the yellow came out. It trapped us a couple laps down. If it weren't for that, we would have had a Top-15 car. I'm proud of my team. Despite the bad luck, we rallied back to a near Top-20 finish. We'll rebound in Chicago."