Lonnie Wheatley, CLUTE, Texas (March 11, 2014) – There’s no better place than the Wild West to go chasing after some big money in true Outlaw style, which is exactly what Aaron Reutzel has in mind for this coming weekend.
Taking advantage of an idle weekend on the Lucas Oil ASCS National trail, the Clute, TX, racer is set to take the wheel of a Casey Minks entry for this weekend’s ASCS West Texas 305 double on Friday and Saturday.
With a $3,000 winner’s share on the line both nights, the weekend begins with El Paso Speedway Park’s 305 Smackdown on Friday night before shifting to Las Cruces’ Southern New Mexico Speedway for the 305 Shootout on Saturday night.
“There are no points on the line, we can just go out and have some fun this weekend,” Reutzel commented. “And hopefully win a little extra money.”
With his familiar No. 87 Sprint Car ready for Lucas Oil ASCS National action at next weekend’s Devil’s Bowl Speedway Spring Nationals in Mesquite, TX, Reutzel joins forces for West Texas 305 action with Winter Challenge champion car owner Casey Minks.
“Casey’s definitely got some momentum going on right now so hopefully we can keep that going,” Reutzel commented.
It won’t be an easy task though with a stellar cast of contenders expected for both nights. “It’s really like a true 305 Nationals, about all of the ASCS National guys will be there,” Reutzel explained of the field that is expected to include fellow ASCS National contenders Jason Johnson, Jeff Swindell, Johnny Herrera and Tony Bruce, Jr., among others along with USAC National title contender and Minks stablemate for the weekend Brady Bacon.
“The guys from down there are really tough too,” Reutzel stated. “John Carney won the big race at Devil’s Bowl at the end of last year, Kyle McCutcheon won up at Eagle, these guys go other places and win so that tells you just how tough they are on their home turf.”
While Reutzel has spent the past six seasons in the 360-ci powered ASCS ranks, he has a handful of 305 starts to draw on as well.
“We should have won about every time out in Bob and Christie Miller’s car last year,” Reutzel explained. “We had one win and several runner-up finishes and a couple of DNF’s due to minor problems, we were good each time out.”
There are subtle differences between driving a 360-ci powerplant versus a 305-ci engine as well, Reutzel explains. “The 360’s are usually more about finesse, keeping your tires hooked up and under you. The 305’s are all about momentum, you rarely let up.”
Reutzel enjoyed several strong runs in 305 action at El Paso Speedway Park and Southern New Mexico Speedway last season including a triumph at Las Cruces in August.
“I like both tracks, they’re both really racy when they’re right,” Reutzel explained. “Casey is coming in with some momentum, I just want to keep that going and take some momentum of our own to Devil’s Bowl next weekend.”
2014 Quick Stats: 7 races, 7 “A” Main starts, 3 top-tens, 1 “B” Main win.
Up Next: The Devil’s Bowl Speedway Spring Nationals in Mesquite, TX, on March 21-22 is the next stop on the Lucas Oil ASCS National trail after this weekend’s ASCS West Texas 305 double in El Paso and Las Cruces.
Keep Track: Keep track of Aaron Reutzel’s on track-action including schedule and results at http://www.aaronreutzelracing.com/, on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/pages/Aaron-Reutzel-Racing/117666254913127 or on Twitter at @AaronReutzel. You can also e-mail Aaron at aaronreutzel@yahoo.com.
If you would like Aaron Reutzel Racing press releases e-mailed directly to you, send your e-mail address to Lonnie Wheatley at lonniewheatley@gmail.com.
Penning the recurring series of “The Wheatley Chronicles” articles on racinboys.com, Lonnie Wheatley provides media, public relations and more for select tracks, drivers and events. For more information, Wheatley may be contacted at lonniewheatley@gmail.com.
- Shelbey Reutzel on Mar 11, 2014
- Article Date: 3/11/2014 by Lonnie Wheatley