(Photo by DB3 Imaging)
Inside Line Promotions – QUINCY, Mich. (Aug. 25, 2015) – Ryan Smith had a successful debut at a pair of tracks in Michigan last weekend with the UNOH All Star Circuit of Champions.
Smith opened the weekend on Friday at I-96 Speedway in Lake Odessa by qualifying fifth quickest. Unfortunately, that put him in a tough spot.
“The transponder system wasn’t working well,” he said. “I went out for time trials and finished 11th, but only one lap clicked. An official came out and said to take another lap. I timed in three tenths quicker so that put me on the second row of a heat race. I didn’t time good enough to lock in based on time, but I timed too good to start on the front row of a heat race.”
Smith finished where he started – third – in a heat race to miss advancing into the dash by only one spot. That lined him up on the outside of the fifth row for the main event.
“It was hard to pass, but it was a good night,” he said. “We got what we could and stayed in the top 10 throughout the feature.”
Smith earned an eighth-place result, which marked his 15th top 10 of the season with the series.
The team then ventured to Butler Speedway the ensuing day, which began with Smith qualifying 25th quickest.
“We drew a real bad number and went out second to last,” he said. “It didn’t get much better the rest of the night. We made the main through our heat race, but the track was rubber down with no passing at all in the feature. I was happy to get out of there in one piece.”
Smith, who finished fourth in a heat race, advanced from 17th to a 13th-place finish in the main event.
The weekend was slated to conclude on Sunday at Millstream Speedway in Findlay, Ohio, where Smith got off to a strong start.
“I was the first car out to qualify and we laid a good lap down,” he said. “About 15 cars went out and I was still quick time. I finally had a good shot to lock into the dash (through the heat race on time) and it was more my type of race track and then it rained out.”
Sunday’s event was cancelled following a rain storm midway through qualifying.
Smith will return to the site of his first career 410ci sprint car win on Tuesday at New Egypt Speedway in New Egypt, N.J., for the Jersey Rush V before this weekend wraps up on Friday at Williams Grove Speedway in Mechanicsburg, Pa.
QUICK RESULTS –
Aug. 21 – I-96 Speedway in Lake Odessa, Mich. – Qualifying: 5; Heat race: 3 (3); Feature: 8 (10).
Aug. 22 – Butler Speedway in Quincy, Mich. – Qualifying: 25; Heat race: 4 (5); Feature: 13 (17).
SEASON STATS –
47 races, 2 wins, 11 top fives, 20 top 10s, 28 top 15s, 36 top 20s
UP NEXT –
Tuesday at New Egypt Speedway in New Egypt, N.J., for the Jersey Rush V and Friday at Williams Grove Speedway in Mechanicsburg, Pa.
MEDIA LINKS –
Website: http://www.RyanSmithRacing.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/RyanSmithRacing
Twitter Race Updates: https://twitter.com/DeniseS_SS
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RyanSmith.TheKunkletownKid
Instagram: https://instagram.com/denises_ss
VIDEO –
Here is a link to Smith’s first career All Star Circuit of Champions victory on April 4 at Attica Raceway Park: https://youtu.be/nBIxI_tNFyc
SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT – S&S Speedways
S&S Speedways is a family owned and operated fun center located in Stroudsburg, Pa. For the novice to the racing enthusiast, S&S Speedways showcases an indoor track that assimilates dirt racing with side-by-side action generating lots of smiles. S&S is open 7 days a week offering public racing and private parties by reservation. The lobby offers full track viewing to watch the racing plus video games, a snack bar, pool table and S&S merchandise is available. For more information, visit http://www.SSSpeedways.com.
“It’s the best indoor slick track for go-karts in Eastern Pennsylvania,” Smith said. “It really simulates dirt track racing. It’s a fun place for a family to have a great time out.”
Smith would also like to thank Warko Group, Quality Roofing Supply, G.L.T. Electrical, CnB Chubby, Fighting Angels Foundation, Armbruster Racing Photos, Thunder on the Hill Racing Series, HP Engines, Pancho’s Racing Products, GME Steering and Vahlco Racing Wheels for their continued support.
INSIDE LINE PROMOTIONS –
Inside Line Promotions specializes in affordable public relations and media management for motor sports drivers, teams, sponsors, tracks, series, events, organizations and manufacturers. ILP Founder Shawn Miller leverages professional journalism with new media technologies and social networking to improve your exposure and the return on investment for your sponsors.
To meet the media relations needs of your program by joining Team ILP, contact Shawn at 541-510-3663 or Shawn@InsideLinePromotions.com. For more information on Inside Line Promotions, visit http://www.InsideLinePromotions.com.
- Shawn Miller on Aug 25, 2015
- Article Date: 8/25/2015 by Inside Line Promotions