(Photo by DB3 Imaging)
Inside Line Promotions – COLUMBUS, Ohio (July 27, 2016) – Two weeks ago it was about building confidence for Kevin Mingus. Last weekend it was all about overcoming obstacles both with the race car and with the extreme heat.
Mingus was behind the wheel of his 305ci dirt sprint car on Friday at Attica Raceway Park in Attica, Ohio, where temperatures in the mid-90s coupled with the humidity made for a heat index in the triple digits. But it was an engine problem that Mingus and his Kurt Huber team had to fight.
“We pushed off after a red flag in the heat and the oil pressure didn’t come up very high,” Mingus said. “But after we got going it seemed okay and I just missed the final transfer spot by four one hundredths of a second. Then in the B Feature we had another red and when we pushed back off the same thing happened and the oil temperature climbed and the motor just lost its get-up-and-go. It was a blessing in disguise that I missed the A Main because we probably would have disintegrated an engine.”
On Saturday Mingus was looking to back up last week’s late model win on the asphalt at Columbus Motor Speedway. Temperatures again were in the mid-90s with a heat index of more than 100 degrees.
“It was miserable,” he said. “At one time I had 142 degrees on the dash and 126 degrees on the floor pan. I got second-degree burns on my hand and right heel. My racing shoe started to melt. I lost like seven pounds racing.
“The best part is we have really picked up our qualifying and that puts us in a lot better position to contend. I feel we are a consistent top-three car. During the race we got clipped and spun and I pancaked the wall in the feature and knocked the tow in, which made the car a real handful. But with all the issues we still finished fourth.”
The fourth-place result was the third top five of the season for Mingus.
“All in all I really can’t complain too much,” he said. “I’m glad I got to experience that heat and the problems. It helps me learn. But I’m also glad the weekend is over and I can look forward to next week.”
Mingus returns to action Friday at Attica Raceway Park in a 305ci sprint car and Saturday at Columbus Motor Speedway in a late model.
QUICK RESULTS –
July 22 – Attica Raceway Park in Attica, Ohio – Heat race: 6 (4); B Main: 6 (1).
July 23 – Columbus Motor Speedway in Columbus, Ohio – Qualifying: 6; Heat race: 4 (4); Feature: 4 (3).
SEASON STATS –
21 races, 1 win, 3 top fives, 10 top 10s, 10 top 15s, 12 top 20s
UP NEXT –
Friday at Attica Raceway Park in Attica, Ohio, in a 305ci sprint car and Saturday at Columbus Motor Speedway in Columbus, Ohio, with a late model
MEDIA LINKS –
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Kevin-Mingus-Motorsports-149334941749104
Twitter: https://twitter.com/KevinMingus
Snapchat: Kevinoz10
SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT: Crews on Both Race Teams
“I have some of the hardest working guys on both race teams,” Mingus said. “They never get down even when we have issues or I make a mistake. They are always there to pick me up. They had to deal with the heat this past weekend and busted their tails so that I could go out and have fun. I can’t thank them all enough.”
Mingus would also like to thank Huber Machine Werx, Hillbilly Rod Shop, Brandon Oakley Racing, DB3 Imaging and Midwest Equipment Company Crane Rental.
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 Jul 27, 2016
- Article Date: 7/27/2016 by Inside Line Promotions