Inside Line Promotions - LAWTON, Okla. (July 25, 2013) - Blake Hahn couldn't have scripted his first feature victory any better.
There were slide jobs, side-by-side racing and a late pass for the lead that propelled him to his first career sprint car win on Saturday at Lawton Speedway with the ASCS American Bank of Oklahoma Sooner Region and ASCS Lone Star Region, which triggered a wild celebration.
"I did a couple of donuts," he said. "I did the wing stand of course. My car owners were there. My mom and dad were there. My best friend was there. And it was at Lanny Edwards' track. That was the first track I ever drove a sprint car at. It was pretty great. I had a dream weekend."
Hahn won his heat race for the second straight night to advance to the feature redraw, when he pulled the No. 6 in the random draw to start the feature on the outside of the third row.
"The modifieds ran right before us and they rutted it up pretty good," he said. "It was whoever could get through the holes the smoothest."
After narrowly missing a wild flip in front of him in turn two on the start, Hahn worked his way into the runner-up position and chased leader Joe Wood Jr. through thick traffic late in the race.
"The whole track was dry but the top," Hahn said. "All the lappers were on the top. Joe was trying to slide them, but he didn't have enough momentum."
Hahn capitalized and drove around Wood Jr. for the top spot after a tight battle for the lead.
"I think we ended up leading only two laps," Hahn said. "It was exciting. The lappers are what made it more exciting."
Hahn's first victory also marked his sixth straight top-four finish and his eighth top five of the season.
"Everybody told me you have to lose a lot to win one," he said. "I think you have to be consistent enough to get in the top five and then you'll get one."
Hahn opened the weekend on Friday at Creek County Speedway in Sapulpa, Okla., by winning his heat race and earning enough points to advance to the feature redraw. He drew the No. 4 to start the main event on the outside of the second row.
"It was pretty dry on the bottom," he said. "I dropped back to fifth in the first couple of laps and then I went to the top and got back around a few cars.
"(Tim) Crawley is the bullring king. I got to his tail, showed my nose once and then we had a caution. He pulled me on the restart and then we got in lapped traffic and that was it."
The runner-up result was his best career finish until Saturday's victory.
Hahn is set to make his debut at Knoxville Raceway in Knoxville, Iowa, on Saturday as a tune-up before the 23rd annual Arnold Motor Supply 360 Knoxville Nationals Aug. 1-3.
QUICK RESULTS -
July 19 - Creek County Speedway in Sapulpa, Okla. - Heat race: 1 (1); Feature: 2 (4).
July 20 - Lawton Speedway in Lawton, Okla. - Heat race: 1 (3); Feature: 1 (6).
SEASON STATS -
31 races, 1 win, 8 top fives, 16 top 10s, 22 top 15s, 24 top 20s
UP NEXT -
Saturday at Knoxville Raceway in Knoxville, Iowa
MEDIA LINKS -
Website: http://www.BlakeHahnRacing.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/BlakeH52
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Blake-Hahn-Racing/139549836107030
VIDEO -
Here is a link by iRaceTV.com to Hahn's first career sprint car victory at Lawton Speedway on July 20: http://youtu.be/IMP4X2tkh24
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"Bruce and Teresa Griffith gave me an opportunity to drive their sprint car earlier this year and it has been a dream come true," Hahn said. "I can't thank them enough for the opportunity."
Hahn would also like to thank Shriners Hospitals for Children, MDS Boring & Drilling, Intra Services, Inc., Griffith Sheet Metal, S&H Diesel Truck Repair, Atlas Truck Sales, Houston Truck Parts, Dependable Diesel, AFCO Shocks and Wesmar Racing Engines for their continued support.
INSIDE LINE PROMOTIONS -
Inside Line Promotions specializes in affordable public relations, media management and merchandising services for sprint car teams. ILP Founder Shawn Miller leverages professional journalism with new media technologies and social networking to improve your exposure and your sponsors' return on investment.
To meet the media relations needs of your team, contact Shawn at 541-510-3663 or sprintcarreporter@yahoo.com. For more information on Inside Line Promotions, visit www.insidelinepromotions.com.
- Admin Account on Jul 26, 2013
- Article Date: 7/26/2013 by Shawn Miller