(Image Credit: Ben Thrasher) – 26 Promotions – Casa Grande, AZ – (March 1st, 2017) – After a successful rookie season that saw him earn Rookie of the Year honors and the addition of a brand new primary sponsor in the off-season, Cody Batten was eager to get the 2017 NAPA Non Wing Season underway Saturday night at Central Arizona Speedway.
Cody and his team still had some last minute items to check off their list after thrashing all week to get a brand new car ready to go for the opener.
“After only have a week to get a new car ready, we took a few last looks at the car to make sure everything was ready to rock” said Batten.
The first time Cody would be able to test out the new chassis would be during his hot lap session.
“Since this was a chassis I had never driven, it took some getting used to during hot laps,” he said “but, by the time we rolled out for our heat I was getting more used to the car and how it reacted.”
Cody would start 5th in Heat 1 and moved into third as the field exited turn 4 and raced down the front stretch on the opening lap on the fast three-eighths mile track. The field would quickly string out from there, not allowing any other opportunities to gain position. Cody would go on to finish the fast paced heat in 3rd.
A re-draw would determine the starting order for the Main, Cody would draw the lowest number and start on the pole.
“The track conditions were outstanding all night long. Hats off to Jonah and the crew for prepping a fast track,” he said “it was so good that from the heat to the main, we only changed a couple small things.”
Cody would finish the season opener with a solid 6th place run.
“We started on the pole and fell back a little,” he said “we ran 5th or 6th most the race but by the time the last 10 laps came, the car was coming to me. We were running the same lap times as the top 3 cars.”
Batten will be in action again on March 11th as the NAPA Non Wing Series heads to Arizona Speedway in San Tan Valley, AZ.
Results:
Heat 1: 5th -> 3rd
Feature: 1st -> 6th
Featured Partner – Larry H. Miller Chrysler, Jeep, Doge, Ram Surprise
“Having Larry H. Miller on board with us this year is allowing us to step up our program both on and off the track in 2017,” said Batten “I look forward to the rest of the season and hope to keep them on our team for years to come.”
At Larry H. Miller Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram Surprise, which serves the Avondale, Goodyear, Buckeye, Waddell, El Mirage, Glendale, Peoria, and the greater Phoenix areas, they don't just sell new Jeep, Dodge, Chrysler and RAM models, they don't just offer a fantastic selection of used cars and they certainly don't just offer high-caliber Jeep, Dodge, Chrysler and RAM parts and service. Rather, at the Surprise, AZ dealership, they take the time to get to know each and every driver they meet. It doesn't matter if you're from Peoria, Phoenix or Glendale; they get to know your driving style, needs, desires and maintenance habits because they're your source for new Jeep, Dodge, Chrysler and RAM Models, Used Cars, Service and Genuine Jeep, Dodge, Chrysler and RAM Parts.
- Darren Ward on Mar 21, 2017
- Article Date: 3/1/2017 by 26 Promotions