After practicing at the Knoxville Raceway Friday night, the TKS Motorsports #2KS and driver Don Droud Jr. took a big step in the right direction Saturday at Knoxville. The 42-car field last weekend included eight World of Outlaws regulars and a host of invaders. Many likened the night to what might be seen on a preliminary night at the Knoxville Nationals. This week won’t be any easier as the World of Outlaws will be in town.
The team has had their difficulties in qualifying, but Don was able to time the #2KS into the heat invert (23rd quick) on Saturday, despite the talented field on hand. “We’ve been having some issues qualifying, but the more laps I’ve got under my belt here, the better we’ve been,” he says. “We tried a little different line than we’ve been running. I screwed up one corner in each of my laps, but we were able to make the heat invert, which made things a little easier for us.”
Don started on the pole of his heat race alongside Kraig Kinser. Terry McCarl, Davey Heskin, Brooke Tatnell, Justin Henderson and Brad Loyet were a few of the other drivers in the stacked heat. “Kraig and Davey got the jump on me a little bit there in the heat race,” says Don. “Terry was able to get by, but then he had some issues. The car felt good and we were able to hold onto third there. It felt good to lock ourselves into the show.”
The 25-lap feature went non-stop. Don would checker 22nd. “I was encouraged Saturday, especially by our improvements in qualifying,” he says. “I still have a little ways to go, but that’s really a big key at Knoxville, and I feel like we’re moving in the right direction. Troy and the rest of the team are working hard all night long to give us a good car. I’m looking forward to Saturday night.”
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TKS Motorsports would like to thank Casey's General Stores, DMIP, R.B. Harmon, Volcano Joe’s Coffee, 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 races at Knoxville (Doug Johnson Photo)
- administrator on Jun 15, 2015
- Article Date: 6/11/2015 by Bill Wright