Last weekend the World of Outlaws visited Federated Auto Parts Raceway known as I55 for a two day show. Know as the IronMan 55 the longest sprint race of the year saw a strong field of 30+ cars. Friday is the Prelude to the IronMan and the car was fast out of the trailer. Down on horsepower the team timed in the bottom of the group and would start last row of heat race. We were able to pick off one car and thus fell into the nights B Main. We started 12th in the B Main and the car was fast and we stayed on pace with the field. One by one something happened that moved us up closer to that transfer spot. A car blew a motor, another slammed the fence. Finally we were one spot away from a transfer with Kyle Knipp in front of us. Jim hounded Knipp until he spun the car out in turns 1 & 2. With two laps left Jim was able to maintain 6th and transfer to the A Main. It was emotional for a underdog team to be close at times and just could not make the main show in the past. This day Jim finally could say he raced his way into the Greatest show on Dirt, The World of Outlaws! Jim would start 24th and eventually pulled out a 20th place finish.
Saturday would be a tale of another story. The track was dry and slick, from the start the team had a difficult time getting the car hooked up and moving forward. Not much passing occurred in the heat as Jim finished 7th after starting 8th. The track was reworked for the B Main and was better, but a little to late. We started 12th and could only move up one position and finished 11th. Overall a big confidence builder for the team. Next race will be at Brownstown, IN for the Arctic Cat All Star Sprint show. Thank you to Crew chief Bob Thompson for a job well done.
- James Perricone on Aug 15, 2016
- Article Date: 8/15/2016