6/8/2015
Jared Goerges
Racing update
Racing Update
It has been a busy start to the summer for the Legend Racing Team. We have been working hard and putting on a lot of miles but between weather, weddings, and preparing our 410 program, we only have 3 complete races to show for it!
With some help from students at Pillager Area Charter School, where Greg teaches mathematics, the car was all ready to go for the UMSS race at our home track in Brainerd but heavy rains in the forecast caused that one to be wiped off the schedule.
On May 22, we raced with the UMSS at the St. Croix Valley Speedway. Typically in the spring, this track is lightning fast with a big berm for a cushion. We have been running very competitively at that place in recent events and were looking forward to picking up where we left off. We started off in good shape. Jared led much of the challenge race but eventually lost a great battle with Lou Kennedy Jr. for the win. Unfortunately, the track changed more than we thought it would and we didn't change the car enough from how we had been running it there in order to gain positions in the feature. Jared did the best he could with what he had and brought home a 9th place finish after starting 8th in a very tough field of sprint cars.
On May 30, we made the trek to the historic half mile in Knoxville, IA. Although the forecast had no mention of rain, we had a short shower right before hot laps. The air was cool and the track was fast as the track record was in danger of being broken. We got time trials and our heat race but the rain began to fall even heavier this time and the rest of the night was cancelled. We were disappointed after putting ourselves in a good position to transfer through the B main. However, we still learned some things and had a lot of fun.
Last weekend, we made some laps around the Granite City Speedway in order to prepare for competing in the World of Outlaw race there on June 16. Jared seemed to adapt to the differences quickly and we learned some things that we believe will help us when the real deal comes around. We met a lot of nice people who where excited to see the Outlaws come to town. Afterwards, we went home and changed the car over to race with the UMSS at the big O in Ogilvie the next night. With rain in the area once again, we were unsure if we would get this one in. There were a few delays but eventually, we did get all of the racing in. Our plan for the night was to start closer to our feature set up so we could be good at the end of the night. Also, when they rush the program due to weather, you have less time to make big changes. The car was tight early on but Jared gave good feedback and we were able to make the car better with some minor changes. Jared won his challenge race and put us in a good starting spot for the feature. Halfway through the race, Jared was getting faster. He was running in the 6th spot and gaining on the cars in front of him. As Jerry Richert Jr was battling with Jamey Ogston, he lost the handle, spun his sprinter, and Jared had nowhere to go other than into the side of Jerry's car or the outside concrete wall. He hit the wall, bent the wheel in half, and our night was done.
Jared has wedding obligations this weekend, so don't look for us at Hibbing or Proctor this weekend. But we are replacing the bent rear half of the race car and getting ready for the big Outlaw race in St. Cloud on Tuesday so if you can get there be sure to check it out!
Submitted By: Jared Goerges