(Photo by Lisa Dynes Photography)
Inside Line Promotions – ELMA, Wash. (July 5, 2017) – Austen Wheatley recorded a sixth-place finish during the opening round of the Fred Brownfield Classic last Friday at Grays Harbor Raceway.
Wheatley began the Lucas Oil ASCS National Tour doubleheader by maneuvering from sixth to third place in a heat race while making his season debut in his family owned No. 44w. That earned enough points to lock into the feature redraw, in which he pulled the No. 3 to start the main event on the inside of the second row.
“We got side by side with (Aaron) Reutzel for the lead on the first lap, but the start got called back,” he said. “We had multiple restarts in a row before we got going. Then I was running fifth when the track took rubber. I was on the top for two laps too many and lost another spot. Then it was follow the leader the whole race.”
Wheatley’s sixth-place result was his fifth top 10 of the season.
The event wrapped up on Saturday, when a high pill draw put Wheatley behind from the start.
“We were a product of a bad pill draw on a not-so-racy track,” he said. “That’s the tough part about the ASCS format. It rewards passing, but when you’re stuck at the back on a track that doesn’t allow passing it ruins your chances.”
Wheatley advanced from eighth to sixth place, which relegated him to a B Main.
“I got a bad start in the B Main and ran fourth for a couple of laps,” he said. “They had watered the track. I was the first one to the top and I blew through it, which allowed another guy by me.”
Wheatley ended fifth, which was two positions shy of transferring into the main event.
QUICK RESULTS –
June 30 – Grays Harbor Raceway in Elma, Wash. – Heat race: 3 (6); Feature: 6 (3).
July 1 – Grays Harbor Raceway in Elma, Wash. – Heat race: 6 (8); B Main: 5 (4).
SEASON STATS –
11 races, 2 wins, 2 top fives, 5 top 10s, 7 top 15s, 8 top 20s
UP NEXT –
TBD
MEDIA LINKS –
Website: http://www.AustenWheatley.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/AustenWheatley
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DownForceDesigns?fref=ts
APPAREL –
Wheatley will have t-shirts and hoodies for sale at every race he competes at this season. For his schedule of races, visit http://www.AustenWheatley.com.
SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT – Redlined Welding & Construction
Redlined Welding & Construction performs welding and construction for fishing boats and processors. Based out of Lake Stevens, Wash., Redlined Welding & Construction is owned and operated by Austen’s father, Shannon Wheatley.
“Redlined Welding & Construction is a family business and we race with a family team so without Redlined Welding & Construction I wouldn’t be able to race,” Austen Wheatley said. “It is the heart and soul of this team.”
Wheatley would also like to thank Downforce Designs, Astro Titanium, Fire-Down Graphics, SpeedMart, Bell and King Racing Products 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 Jul 06, 2017
- Article Date: 7/5/2017 by Inside Line Promotions