It was a fresh start for driver Don Droud Jr. and the newly formed TKS Motorsports #2KS led by Troy Renfro. After three consecutive rainouts, Knoxville Raceway finally got their opener in. It was also a FVP National Sprint League event bringing 38 stout 410 sprint cars to the infield.
Unfortunately, things got off to a rough start for the new team in qualifying. “The qualifying really got us behind, of course,” says Don. “That’s the way at Knoxville. When you miss that heat invert, you are fighting an uphill battle all night. We really went to work to make the car better though.”
The team moved forward in both the heat and B main, where they started ninth and ended up two spots out of the fourth place transfer spot in the non-stop 12-lap event. “Things were a little better in the heat, and the B was even better,” says Don. “The car was better every time we went out. I can’t help but think if there would have been a yellow, we could have gotten two more spots and a transfer. I really think from there we would have made some noise in the feature.”
What the Lincoln, Nebraska driver pulled most from Saturday was the positive vibe of a new team working together and pulling in one direction. “I’m extremely encouraged and excited about the atmosphere of this new team!” says Don. “The positive attitude that everyone had was infectious. We were changing things all night to get better, and we did. We know we’re better than our results. It was far from our best effort, and I’m
looking forward to getting back to the track on Saturday.”
The TKS Motorsports #2K team will be back at Knoxville this weekend. “Even though we didn’t get the results we wanted, there’s nothing negative to say,” says Don. “I know for a fact that this team is going to be good and we’re going to be fine moving forward. I’m looking forward to getting back to Knoxville on Saturday.”
TKS Motorsports Troy Renfro was encouraged as well. “This has been a long process, and I’m really pleased with how hard everyone worked. We kept at it all night long. What we did in qualifying didn’t work, but we got better as the night went along. I’m really looking forward to this weekend. I’m hopeful we can get some practice in on Friday night before we get back at it on Saturday.”
TKS Motorsports is always open to new perspective partners!
TKS Motorsports would like to thank Casey's General Stores, DMIP, R.B. Harmon, Larry Woodward Racing, Indy Race Parts, Maxim, Vahlco Wheels, Don Ott Racing Engines, AO Designs, Hoosier, KSE Racing Products, Schoenfeld Headers, Mag Tech Ignition, Fuel Safe, SWE (Steve Watts Engineering), Brown & Miller Racing Solutions, Wilwood, Winters Performance Products, Schroeder Torsion Bars, Competition Suspension Inc., Simpson Race Products, Vortex, Webb Family Farms and HRP.
Photo: Don on opening night at Knoxville (Brandon Anderson Photos)
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Monroe, IA USA
- administrator on May 15, 2015
- Article Date: 5/14/2015 by Bill Wright