(Photo by Serena Dalhamer)
Inside Line Promotions – KNOXVILLE, Iowa (May 17, 2016) – Jamie Ball’s strong start to the season continued last Saturday at Knoxville Raceway, where he picked up his second straight runner-up result.
“It was another great week,” he said. “We timed in real well and did enough in the heat race to get in the inversion. That’s the name of the game at Knoxville.”
Ball qualified his White Lightning Motorsports entry second quickest and he finished where he started – fifth – in a heat race to advance into the six-car feature inversion, which lined him up on the inside of the second row.
“My car was perfect,” he said. “I had an awesome start and got around Chris Martin for second. After a restart I chased down Ian Madsen. I had a pretty good restart and was right on him. Within a lap of the restart I was able to get him. We played chicken going into turn one and I was able to out drag race him to the bottom.”
Ball led Laps 11-14 before Justin Henderson took over the top spot in traffic.
“I didn’t have the best corners in turns three and four and I didn’t go to the bottom (in turn one) because I was afraid of getting trapped behind a car,” Ball said. “I went to the middle and it opened for Henderson. We were never able to regain the lead. I just have to make better choices in traffic. To be disappointed with second place two weeks in a row at Knoxville says something about how our season is going.”
Ball ranks second in the 360ci championship standings at Knoxville Raceway.
Teammate Devin Kline endured his second straight rough outing as he sustained a mechanical failure after qualifying fourth quickest. He was unable to finish the remainder of the night and dropped to a tie for fifth place in the 305ci championship standings.
“Last year we were quite a bit down in the points and I had three races to make it up,” he said. “I have most of the season to make up the current deficit. I try not to think about points. My goal every night is to go in and win the race. There’s a long season ahead. If we win some races we can make those points back up.”
White Lightning Motorsports would like to congratulate Corey Kautz on his first career win at Knoxville Raceway last Saturday in the 305ci class.
Ball, who is leading the Sprint Invaders championship standings, will return to action on Wednesday at Iowa State Fairgrounds Speedway in Des Moines, Iowa, with the Sprint Invaders before the White Lightning Motorsports duo will compete on Saturday at Knoxville Raceway.
QUICK RESULTS –
JAMIE BALL:
May 14 – Knoxville Raceway in Knoxville, Iowa – Qualifying: 4; Heat race: 5 (5); Feature: 2 (3).
DEVIN KLINE:
May 14 – Knoxville Raceway in Knoxville, Iowa – Qualifying: 4; Heat race: DNS (5); Feature: DNS (-).
SEASON STATS –
JAMIE BALL: 7 races, 0 wins, 5 top fives, 6 top 10s, 6 top 15s, 6 top 20s
DEVIN KLINE: 4 races, 0 wins, 2 top fives, 3 top 10s, 3 top 15s, 4 top 20s
UP NEXT –
Wednesday at Iowa State Fairgrounds Speedway in Des Moines, Iowa, with the Sprint Invaders and 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 – Bell Helmets
Bell Racing USA LLC is the world’s leading auto racing and karting helmet company. More champions in all forms of racing have worn Bell Helmets than any other brand. The Bell name is synonymous with innovation, technology, engineering excellence and superior helmet performance. For more information, visit http://www.BellRacing.com.
“Since my dad started racing sprint cars in 1998 he’s been a Bell customer and I have been as well since I started,” Ball said. “We not only love their helmets, but we love how safe they are. I value their craftsmanship and how strong their helmets are. I want to say thanks for keeping us safe throughout the years.”
White Lightning Motorsports would also like to thank JJ Kane Auctioneers, Housby, Timber Line Tree Service, Iowa State Savings Bank, The Hearing Clinic, Windance Graphics, FK Rod Ends, Ostrich Racing Engines, Sweet Manufacturing, Hooker Harness, MyRacePass, 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) 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 17, 2016
- Article Date: 5/17/2016 by Inside Line Promotions