Now that the July 4th holiday is over get ready for the real tension to begin.
The stars of NASCAR head to Atlanta for the Cup race. The opportunities to make the playoffs (on points) keeps getting shorter. This after Tyler Reddick took the victory at Road America edging out Chase Elliott. We’re proud to point out, Reddick and all RCR cars are powered by Lucas Oil Products! Kevin Harvick knows what it takes to win and make the playoffs. His team has had some struggles this season, especially in the pits. Owner Tony Stewart made adjustments. It still doesn’t make it easy for Kevin, who is outside looking in by more than a dozen points.
Speaking of Stewart, it was good to see racing veteran Ryan Newman back on the track in Tony’s SRX race series. It brings some of the best drivers from various series together for a six-race schedule. Newman narrowly beat Marco Andretti at the small Stafford Motor Speedway track in Connecticut. Paul Tracy, Tony Stewart, and Bobby Labonte rounded out the top five. Crowds are strong, fans love the racing. Tony is taking a high quality of action to short tracks where racing has always soared. Let’s hope next year there are more races added. It is real excitement.
Ben Rhodes can use a top 5 as the NASCAR Truck Series heads to the Mid-Ohio Road Course this weekend. In the past few races, there have been few good things for Rhodes to talk about. The Louisville native did win at Bristol in April and is in the playoffs. Ben needs momentum, soon. And note, Justin Marks is truck racing again. Yes, the same Justin Marks who runs Trackhouse Racing and has quickly made a name for himself as an owner in the Cup Series. Marks is no stranger to NASCAR. He won in the Xfinity Series at Mid-Ohio in 2016. And Marks has competed in nearly 40 truck events. He’ll pilot the #41 for Niece Motorsports in what appears to be a one race deal.
A couple co-pilots took the victory in the July 4th holiday weekend Firecracker 150 at the Salem Speedway. Scott Caudell started the race in his #20 car. But after about 100 laps, started filling run down, sick. He drove on to pit row to make a fast driver change. Two-Time Salem Champion Will Kimmel jumped into the car and ended up taking the checkered flag. We’ve said it before: Will loves racing, he can help fix a car, and he knows how to compete. Sadly, NASCAR is about bringing big money to the table, and how much a driver pay to pretty much buy a ride. If Will had a real chance, he likely would outduel the lower 10 drivers now competing in the NASCAR Cup Series. He can take a lessor car and make something out of it. Will has proven he can trade paint with top drivers in NASCAR. He has raced in all three major series, and ARCA. Dale Earnhardt Jr. could easily put Will in a NASCAR series car. Money is not in question for Junior. The two have a little history. Remember what happened when Junior's father put Michael Waltrip in good equipment? Dale Jr. doesn't have to do it. Not at all. But just think, what if he did? There would be enormous intangible results on and off the track. Just fuel for thought. Congrats to Will and Scott for winning the legendary event at the half-mile High Banks of Salem.
Let’s keep it local. Over the holiday weekend a couple local drivers battles some of the regions best CRA Late Model Sportsman drivers in the region at Anderson Speedway outside of Indianapolis. Two Louisville area drivers did well. Jared Soards had a 7th place finish and Logan Huckeba was right behind him in 8th. A week earlier in the huge street stock race there, Southern Indiana’s Chuck Barnes Jr. took the victory. And a slew of other drivers battled too. They include Alan Williams Jr., Mike Kestler, Troy Phillips, and Marcus Elliott. We’ve featured many of these drivers over the years on Kentuckiana Motorsports.
We want to give everyone a heads up. A huge NHRA event is coming up July 15th -17th. It is the Mile-High Nationals in Denver. You want action and speed, be sure to watch!
Given the challenging economy many people are staying closer to home this summer. Just remember, Lucas Oil Products work! They can help extend life to your car or truck, and provide better performance. We thank Lucas Oil as a huge longtime sponsor. Other backers: PNC Bank (Sponsor of Scott Dixon's Indy Car Series Car), Sportsdrome Speedway (Celebrating more than 75 years of Racing!) locally owned Bright Pest Control and Bright Retail in Louisville, (Offering Do-It-Yourself Professional Pest Products with a retail store), and Knox Ford in Radcliff (KY). KMS supporters also include: VoiceTel Kentucky (Offering telephone service for $30.00 a line, and that includes all taxes and fees), Temco Roofing, Andriots Paint, Flooring, & Blinds, ICA Dumpsters, Kentucky Raceway Ministries, St. Matthews Cycling, Nimlok Kentucky, Dynamic Healthcare, and Lyndon Mower Repair. We also thank our media connections in all series, especially NASCAR and with NASCAR Media for helping us bring the sport to the fans!
Enjoy the racing!
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