(Photo by Studio 92 Photography)
Inside Line Promotions – KNOXVILLE, Iowa (May 10, 2016) – Jamie Ball registered a pair of podium finishes last week for White Lightning Motorsports.
The action kicked off last Wednesday with the Sprint Invaders at Southern Iowa Speedway in Oskaloosa, Iowa, where Ball advanced from third to second place during a heat race. That locked him into the dash, which he won.
“The whole night went really well from beginning to end,” he said. “I was able to do enough to get in the dash and win that. The junior fan drew the No. 2 to get a good spot for the main event.
“Terry McCarl got the jump on me. I was able to maintain second until about five laps to go. I got out of the rubber lapping a guy and Wayne Johnson got by me. Being able to finish a close third to guys who have been racing longer than I’ve been alive is nothing to hang your head about.”
Ball’s third-place result was his best finish of the season and provided momentum entering Saturday’s race at Knoxville Raceway.
“We’ve been qualifying really well this year,” he said. “We timed in fourth quickest and then transferred through the heat. They drew a No. 2, which meant a two-row inversion for the main event so that put me on the pole. I knew I had to get going and be on my game having Clint Garner start outside of me and Justin Henderson starting fourth.”
Garner got the jump with Ball in tow throughout the main event.
“I chased him for a while,” he said. “I found a nice line on the bottom and reeled Clint in. I think I got within half a second toward the end. To be able to hang with Clint means a lot and gives us a lot of confidence going forward.”
Ball earned a runner-up result, which was his best finish at Knoxville Raceway since winning on June 21, 2014. He ranks third in the championship standings – only seven points from second.
“It was one of our most successful weeks we’ve had in years,” he said. “To run with Terry McCarl, Wayne Johnson and Clint Garner gives us a lot of confidence.”
Last weekend didn’t end as well for White Lightning Motorsports teammate Devin Kline in the 305ci class.
“The night started off good going second quick in qualifying,” he said. “We went from sixth to third in the heat race. In the feature we were running second, but on the initial start I got hit by a giant dirt clod. That knocked my nose wing loose. Christian (Bowman) got by me and was racing for the lead. I had an ill-handling car. We had a red flag and the officials asked if we wanted to change it, but we thought it was on there secure enough where we could hang on for a good finish. On the restart with the cone as high up the track as it is there’s enough room for only one car. You have to be on the driver’s butt in front of you to make a move into turn one. By the time I noticed something was wrong it was way too late.”
Kline was involved in a wild crash at the start/finish line during a mid-race restart. He ended up flipping and was unable to finish the race. Kline was credited with a ninth-place result.
“It pretty much destroyed the car,” he said. “We pulled my seat, the rear end and the steering gear. We’ll have to run a different car now. To be down only two points in the standings after what happened is pretty lucky.”
Kline ranks second in the 305ci championship standings and he is only two points out of the lead.
Ball and Kline are scheduled to return to action this Saturday at Knoxville Raceway.
QUICK RESULTS –
JAMIE BALL:
May 4 – Southern Iowa Speedway in Oskaloosa, Iowa – Heat race: 2 (3); Dash: 1 (2); Feature: 3 (2).
May 7 – Knoxville Raceway in Knoxville, Iowa – Qualifying: 4; Heat race: 5 (5); Feature: 2 (1).
DEVIN KLINE:
May 7 – Knoxville Raceway in Knoxville, Iowa – Qualifying: 2; Heat race: 3 (6); Feature: 9 (3).
SEASON STATS –
JAMIE BALL: 6 races, 0 wins, 4 top fives, 5 top 10s, 5 top 15s, 5 top 20s
DEVIN KLINE: 3 races, 0 wins, 2 top fives, 3 top 10s, 3 top 15s, 3 top 20s
UP NEXT –
Saturday at Knoxville Raceway in Knoxville, Iowa
MEDIA LINKS –
Jamie Ball Website: http://www.JamieBall.com
Devin Kline Website: http://www.DevinKline.com
Jamie Ball Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/JamieBall5j
Devin Kline Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/DevinKline5j
APPAREL –
White Lightning Motorsports has t-shirts and hoodies available for purchase at their race trailers in the infield of each sprint car event at Knoxville Raceway in Knoxville, Iowa.
SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT – Wingdance Graphics
Wingdance Graphics is your one-stop shop for all your graphics needs, the kind of people who dream up the impossible and then bring that vision to reality. As a well-established business of designers and applicators, they have built the capacity to develop all clients need to enhance their business – everything from race car graphics, banners, wraps, signs, decorative items and much more. While they take great pride in designing to meet your needs, their top priority is to partner with their clients to enhance their team or businesses image. Ultimately, they’re not just designers, they are partners in building your future.
“Brandon Dunkerson of Wingdance Graphics and Sign Pro of Newton, Iowa, has been with our race team for the past four years,” Ball said. “Brandon shares a passion for sprint car racing and it has been a pleasure having him on White Lightning Motorsports. The creative design and customer service work is what is propelling Brandon to the top in a hurry. Top notch designs that are prepared and applied in a timely fashion. For all of your graphics needs please give Brandon a call at (319) 541-1822.”
White Lightning Motorsports would also like to thank JJ Kane Auctioneers, Housby, Timber Line Tree Service, Iowa State Savings Bank, The Hearing Clinic, FK Rod Ends, Ostrich Racing Engines, Sweet Manufacturing, Hooker Harness, My Race Pass, Keizer Aluminum Wheels, Fragola Performance Systems, Hoosier Tire, MPD Racing, Sign Pro of Newton, Shell Shock, Maxim Chassis, Hinchman Racewear, Knoxville Raceway Charitable Organization (KRCO), Bell Helmets and Allen Construction 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 May 10, 2016
- Article Date: 5/10/2016 by Inside Line Promotions