Tuesday, September 23rd, 2008 – We have had some time off for Cole and the rest of the USAC crew.  However, after a great weekend at the Red Bull Indianapolis US MotoGP (thank you CR and MH!), it’s back to work.  Three race in two nights in two states.  Nothing new for Cole, the Whitt family, Chuck Gurney, or Keith Kunz Motorsports.

 

 

Friday night found call Cole and his “house” team at Gas City, IN for a 30 plus car local race.  The track was in perfect shape for racing on the top and bottom of the track.   Cole has always enjoyed racing at Gas City and Friday night was not an exception to this feeling.  After drawing for position in the heat races, Whitt found himself in the last row of the last heat.  Cole had a convincing win in the 8 lap heat race and felt good going into the main event.  The feature race had a number of USAC drivers competing tonight, however Cole came into the race knowing that he races well at Gas City.  Cole started the feature in fourth,  However, Cole was able to make a number of late race passes, first on the bottom and then on the top, before finishing the race as the victor.  Cole was happy to come back from some time off with such a great result.  

 

After Friday’s victory, Cole made the two hour drive with friend and fellow competitor Kevin Swindell to storied Eldora Speedway.  As mentioned in prior press releases, this is the track that Tony Stewart owns.   The track is a special piece of the Stewart empire, because when it is right, this track is probably the most dangerous and difficult to drive in the world of dirt track racing.  Saturday night was one of those nights.  The famed Eldora Speedway “Four Crown Nationals”, included all three of the major USAC touring series (Midget, Sprint, And Silver Crown).  For Cole, his night would include Midget and Sprint car events.  With the help of the greatly talented Keith Kunz Motorsports, Cole was able to run solid with the veterans. 

 

In dry slick conditions, Cole qualified in a solid 12th among the 28 car midget field.  A fifth place in his heat moved Cole automatically into the feature.   A 10th place starting spot meant there was work to be done to move to the front.  However, amidst the most dangerous conditions (a super fast track that was fast on top with high corner speeds), Cole meticulously moved up to finish fifth.   This also meant that after trouble for point leader Tracy Hines finishing 21st, Cole was able to tighten the gap on the point leader.

 

As if this wasn’t enough, Cole performed “double duty” racing his USAC National Sprint car also at Eldora.  An 11th in qualifying for the 67k meant that Cole would be in the mix all night in the 58 car field.  With the faster cars in qualifying starting at the back of the heats, Cole posted a fifth place result.  This meant that he would have to run the B main to secure his qualifying starting spot.  The extra track time however, proved to be valuable for Cole as he was able to use it to his advantage to figure out a racing line and set up that he could use for the main.  Cole started the 30 lap feature in 10th and by lap 2 he was up to 5th.  Again the track was unforgiving, fast and up on the fence, as only Eldora can be.  As the track conditions faded the high line was the fastest way around the track and momentum and meticulous driving was what got you through the race.  Cole was able to secure a solid 7th place finish.   Another solid finish helped Cole inch forward in the points chase.