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HMS Update - Copper Classic @ CSP

The Copper Classic at Canyon Speedway Park finished up Saturday night in front of a capacity crowd in Peoria, Arizona. We had an up and down weekend that started with a 7th place qualifying run on Friday which set us up to start 4th in the heat. The top 5 would transfer to the A feature but unfortunately I slipped back and got caught up in a small wreck, flattening the right front tire and bending the front axle which sent me to the B. I started 3rd and had a good race car, jumping to the lead in turns 1 and 2 and leading all 12 laps to win it. Under the USAC Cra format we got our qualifying time back but start behind those in the top 6 invert so I started 9th in the A feature. Early on the track still had moisture in the bottom and middle groove, as well as the top. I was able to move into 7th quickly and hung there for a majority of the race. After a caution with about 10 laps to, the track rapidly changed to slick with a cushion and I struggled with the handling bad, backing up to 15th at the finish. It wasn’t the result we wanted and we hoped to change it the second night. Unfortunately, we were far off in qualifying, timing in 24th, and that made the rest of our night difficult. We started the heat race from last and I made my way forward, able to get by Kaeding on the last lap for the top 5 transfer position. The car was working well but we knew we still had work to do. Just the same as the night before we lined up based on qualifying which meant I had to start from the 22nd position. The track had a top and a bottom and after trying the top a few laps I was able to move to the bottom and start passing some cars. About halfway into the race I had made it to about 17th before a caution. I made some adjustments from the cockpit and after the restart I was able to make my way to finish 11th. At one point I was battling with 8th through 10th but I was not able to sneak by. We were pretty good but dug ourselves a hole early with qualifying. We learned a lot this weekend and are looking forward to the World of Outlaw show in Tucson this Saturday.

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