(Photo by Malcolm White Photography)
Inside Line Promotions – ALGER, Wash. (July 30, 2018) – Austen Wheatley rallied to post a top-10 result during the opening round and a top-five finish on Night 2 of the 29th annual Bob’s Burger & Brew Summer Nationals at Skagit Speedway last weekend.
“Qualifying put us behind all weekend,” he said. “We were a little tight and I didn’t lay down very good laps on Friday. However, on Saturday the car felt really good and the laps felt really good. We didn’t really know why we were a couple of tenths off.”
Wheatley timed in 16th quickest in qualifying on Friday before he won a heat race from the pole position. He then rallied from 16th to a ninth-place result in the A Main to garner the Hard Charger Award for passing the most cars.
“I ran the bottom most of the time,” he said. “I should have moved up in turns three and four to make a little more speed. With about seven laps to go I moved up there and I made up a lot of ground.”
Saturday’s event finale began with Wheatley qualifying ninth quickest. Another heat race victory locked him into the 12th starting spot for the main event.
“I think we could have had a shot to win it if we started a little further up,” he said. “I felt really comfortable. (Buddy) Kofoid and (Jason) Solwold were out front and made it through traffic pretty well. Me, J.J. Hickle, Garen Linder, Logan Forler and Colton Heath were in a gaggle going back and forth toward the end. Lapped cars were in the mix so it made it exciting.”
Wheatley charged to a fifth-place finish, which was his third top five of the season.
He will be off for the next month before returning to action on Aug. 31 and Sept. 1 at Skagit Speedway for the Outlaw Energy Showdown with the World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series.
QUICK RESULTS –
July 27 – Skagit Speedway in Alger, Wash. – Qualifying: 16; Heat race: 1 (1); Feature: 9 (16).
July 28 – Skagit Speedway in Alger, Wash. – Qualifying: 9; Heat race: 1 (2); Feature: 5 (12).
SEASON STATS –
10 races, 0 wins, 3 top fives, 6 top 10s, 8 top 15s, 8 top 20s
UP NEXT –
Aug. 31 and Sept. 1 at Skagit Speedway in Alger, Wash., for the Outlaw Energy Showdown with the World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series
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, Franklin Rear Ends, Elite Wings, ART Speed Equipment, Schaeffer Oil and Banshee Graphics 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 30, 2018
- Article Date: 7/30/2018 by Inside Line Promotions