(Image Credit: Ron Gilson)
26 Promotions – Queen Creek, AZ – (November 30th, 2017) – The 2017 ASCS Southwest season concluded this past weekend with the Copper Classic at Arizona Speedway and it did so with a new champion, as Colton Hardy unseated nine-time champion Rich Ziehl for the series’ top honor.
Hardy kicked off the opening night of the Copper Classic qualifying second, just less than a hundredth of a second off quick-time. That lined him up sixth in his heat, where he finished second to make the feature re-draw. Hardy drew the four, lining him up on the outside of the second row for the start of the twenty-five lap event.
“They had just prepped the top of the track, so it was really hammer down early. I played follow the leader with Chris Bell and Billy Chester, and every time we got to lap traffic a yellow or red would come out,” explained Hardy. “After the red, Chester bobbled, and I threw slider after slider but none would stick. I made one mistake and dropped back to fifth, with that many good cars, you can’t make mistakes. I feel the car was all of a second-place car, but the results don’t show.”
On Saturday night Hardy qualified fourth, which is where he would start in his heat. After exchanging sliders back-and-forth with Royal Jones, Hardy picked up the heat race win. With the top four finishers from Friday night locked into to Saturday’s feature, only the top two in passing points from Saturday made the re-draw. Hardy sat third in points, placing him seventh on the grid for the season’s final feature event.
“On the start of the feature we got up to fifth right away, but we missed the setup. We didn’t think the track was going to take rubber that early in the race and we were just tight,” he said. “We lost fifth to Bell around halfway and just stuck with him, but with being tight, we couldn’t make a move for the position. There was a yellow with about two to go when the second-place car had a flat tire, which moved us up to fifth.”
The fifth-place finish was more than enough for Hardy, who only needed to start his heat, to lock up the 2017 ASCS Southwest Region Championship.
“It still really hasn’t sunk in,” said Hardy. “That was the ultimate goal for the year, but I believe I speak for the team when I say when we arrived at the track points weren’t on our mind, it was to go win the race and I think that’s what helped us step our game up this year.”
Hardy knows none of this would be possible without the support of his family, team, and partners.
“I must thank Ted, Stacye, Nate, AJ, Aaron, Randy, Nikki, Bobbi, and my mom and dad for everything they’ve done this year. Each one of you played a role in making this year possible and I couldn’t be more thankful for it. You guys are the best and I’m looking forward to next year,” he said. “To all the sponsors and everyone that has helped us out this year, thank you, you guys are much appreciated.”
Colton Hardy would like to thank Diamond Mechanical, M & J Trophies, Mark’s Nuts & Bolts, Elite Technical Coatings, Jason McDougal at CSI South Central, F.S.C, NAPA Auto & Truck Parts, Borello Race Engines, A & C Remodeling, Engler Machine & Tools, and Simpson Race Products for their support this season.
Friday Results
Qualifying: 2nd, 13.578
Heat: 6th -> 2nd
Feature: 4th -> 5th
Saturday Results
Qualifying: 4th, 13.723
Heat: 4th -> 1st
Feature: 7th -> 5th
Links
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/colton.hardy41
Twitter: https://twitter.com/colton_hardy41
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/colton_hardy41/
Website: http://www.coltonhardy.com/
- Darren Ward on Nov 30, 2017
- Article Date: 11/30/2017 by 26 Promotions