(Photo by SprintFun Photos)
Inside Line Promotions – WEEDSPORT, N.Y. (July 30, 2018) – Jason Sides has a pair of $20,000-to-win showdowns on tap this weekend.
Sides and the World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series invade Federated Auto Parts Raceway at I-55 in Pevely, Mo., for the annual Ironman 55 – a 55-lap feature that is the longest race of the year on the World of Outlaws schedule. However, this year there is a twist as Friday’s preliminary night will also be a 55-lap event with a stout payday to make up for last year’s rainout.
“I like the place,” he said. “The bad thing is at Ransomville last weekend we lost a motor. We stopped in Fremont this morning to pick up a pair of fresh engines for Knoxville, but one wasn’t done. We only have one with us. Usually that race is pretty hard on everything. Fifty-five laps is a long time on that little track. It’s a fun track, but it’s tough on equipment.”
Sides was victorious at the high-banked oval in 2012 and he posted a runner-up result in 2015 to highlight the last few appearances. He was 10th last year during his only visit.
Sides could use a strong performance after he endured a frustrating weekend in New York. He qualified third quickest and was on his way to a heat race win last Friday at Ransomville Speedway in Ransomville during the Big ‘R’ Outlaw Shootout before mechanical problems forced him to the pits early.
“We really struggled in hot laps so we made a few changes and ended up qualifying really good,” he said. “Then we were really good in the heat race. You never know what could have been.
“I felt it and smelled it. I was worried about the engine. I could almost tell something was going wrong with it, but I wasn’t sure. As soon as I felt it tie up I pulled it out of gear to keep it from blowing up.”
The crew replaced the engine prior to the A Main, in which Sides rallied from 21st to a 12th-place finish. It was the second-most cars passed.
The weekend concluded on Sunday at Weedsport Speedway during the Empire State Challenge.
“We battled a lack of grip,” he said. “We went from one extreme to the other and tried everything in the world. It caught us off guard after typically being a little wet and sticky. The track was shiny and powdery slick during hot laps. We came back in before qualifying and we changed some nozzles trying to detune the engine and tighten the car. None of it worked. It was like driving on glass.”
Sides timed in 20th quickest, placed seventh in a heat race and ended the night 20th in the main event.
QUICK RESULTS –
July 27 – Ransomville Speedway in Ransomville, N.Y. – Qualifying: 3; Heat race: DNF (1); Feature: 12 (21).
July 29 – Weedsport Speedway in Weedsport, N.Y. – Qualifying: 20; Heat race: 7 (7); Feature: 20 (20).
SIDES MOTORSPORTS SEASON STATS –
48 races, 0 wins, 1 top five, 6 top 10s, 20 top 15s, 38 top 20s
UP NEXT –
Friday and Saturday at Federated Auto Parts Raceway at I-55 in Pevely, Mo., for the Ironman 55 with the World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series
MEDIA LINKS –
Website: http://www.SidesMotorsports.com
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/SidesMotorsport
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Sides-Motorsports/283833970847?ref=br_tf
SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT – East Coast Logistics
East Coast Logistics, which is based in Australia, incorporated in 2003 and specializes in all transport and logistics requirements. For more information, visit http://www.eastcoastlogistics.com.au/.
“Dave Horrell does the jobs that people don’t want to do,” Sides said. “He’s a hard working guy and we’ve been fortunate to have him as part of our team for several years. Dave and his family have become more family than a sponsor. I call him when I just want to talk. His support means a lot.”
Sides would also like to thank Wetherington Tractor Service, Inc., VRP Shocks, BR Motorsports, Dancer Logistics, Inc., King Racing Products, R.E. Enterprises, Jim Schuhknecht, FSR Radiators, Mid-States Equipment, Pat Hanley Auction Co., Brad Roller, Driven Racing Oil, Ingles Racing Engines, Wings Unlimited and All Pro Aluminum Cylinder Heads 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