(Photo by Mike Knappenberger Photos)
Inside Line Promotions – SWEDESBORO, N.J. (Oct. 8, 2021) – Joey Amantea took part in the Danny Serrano Skyscraper Spectacular last weekend at Spirit Auto Center Speedway, where he qualified for the main event on Sunday among a stout field of drivers at the marquee micro sprint event.
Amantea ended with a 16th-place result and he also scored a seventh-place finish during Friday night’s Winner’s Classic.
“It was shaping up to be a really good weekend up until Sunday,” he said. “The car had speed from the moment we unloaded and I think we might have turned a corner on our micro program.”
Amantea kicked off the three-night weekend on Friday during the Winner’s Classic, which he was eligible for as a result of picking up a win earlier this season. Following a pair of group qualifying sessions, in which Amantea timed in 18th and 10th, he tackled the invitational feature. Amantea advanced as high as sixth before getting caught up in an incident. He tagged the rear of the field and over the remaining 12 laps he passed 13 cars to earn the seventh finishing position.
“We were quick in time trials and it was looking like we might have had a shot to contend for the win,” he said. “We got taken out running around the top five and marched right back through the field. We had a rocket ship out there.”
Amantea returned to the track on Saturday to compete in a pair of heat races. He passed four cars in his first heat race to finish fourth and won a second heat from the outside of the front row. The results were good enough to lock Amantea into Sunday night’s finale.
“The track conditions played right into what we wanted to do and the car reacted accordingly,” he said. “We were able to get that last lock-in spot for Sunday, which definitely made me feel better about things.”
Choosing to utilize a similar setup as Saturday for Sunday’s Skyscraper finale, Amantea lined up for the feature in the 11th starting position. However, with track conditions different he was unable to move forward and ultimately came home 16th.
"We were off a bit in warm-ups and made a few changes to the car based on what the track showed us,” he said. “Unfortunately, they ripped up the track before the feature and we were out to lunch in the feature. Everything we’d set up for went out the window and we just were no good.”
Next up for Amantea will be a visit to Linda’s Speedway in Jonestown, Pa., on Friday for a wingless micro sprint start.
“We know we’re good on the slick and that should be a good thing for us going to Linda’s,” he said. “I’m really expecting to battle for a podium and be up front at the end of the night.”
QUICK RESULTS –
Oct. 1 – Spirit Auto Center Speedway in Swedesboro, N.J. – Qualifying #1: 18; Qualifying #2: 10; Winner’s Classic Feature: 7 (-).
Oct. 2 – Spirit Auto Center Speedway in Swedesboro, N.J. – Heat race #1: 4 (8); Heat race #2: 1 (2).
Oct. 3 – Spirit Auto Center Speedway in Swedesboro, N.J. – Feature: 16 (11).
SEASON STATS –
48 races, 1 win, 7 top fives, 20 top 10s, 29 top 15s, 32 top 20s
UP NEXT –
Friday at Linda's Speedway in Jonestown, Pa.
MEDIA LINKS –
Website: http://www.joeyamantearacing.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/joeyamantearacing/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/joeyamantea88J
SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT – JPA Masonry
JPA Masonry, which is located in Mt. Pocono, Pa., is a trusted and experienced masonry leader in the Poconos. Although established in 2001, contractor and owner, Joseph P. Amantea (JPA), has almost 20 years of experience in the masonry field, including custom stone and design. For more information, visit http://www.JPAMasonry.com.
“JPA Masonry drives our race team,” Amantea said. “Without their support I wouldn’t be able to race. I’m very appreciative of all they do for me.”
Amantea would also like to thank Stinger Race Fuel Products, Amantea Real Estate, Hyper Racing, Jet Signs, Radical Race Gear, Pensyl Enterprises and Gilroy Northeast Inc. Excavating and Construction 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 Oct 08, 2021
- Article Date: 10/8/2021 by Inside Line Promotions