Tuesday, October 6, 2009 – This past weekend would conclude the Midwest racing portion for USAC National Sprints as the series will now head out to California for the Oval Nationals at Perris Speedway and Thunderbowl Raceway in Tulare, California.  Cole Whitt and Keith Kunz Motorsports finished on a solid note with two top 5 finishes on two different kind of racing surfaces, dirt and pavement.  

Friday night was a big night of racing at the much anticipated $10,000 to win USAC National Sprint car event at Lawrenceburg Speedway.  Over 50 competitors were in the pits and Cole Whitt would be in the last group to qualify.  After watching and waiting, Whitt was able to pull off an impressive lap and qualify in the top ten less than a tenth off the pole position.  Cole followed with a 2nd place finish in the heat race transferring him to the A Main.  Once into the feature, Cole was able to make several passes early and work his way into the top five.  As the feature progressed Cole was able to drive the high and low groove on the race track and worked his way into 3rd in the remaining laps.  At the checker Whitt finished 2nd just a few car lengths behind the leader.  “We had a great car tonight, said Cole.  We had a late draw in qualifying which put us back a bit for the start of the feature, but second is a strong finish for us and a good point night.” 

Sunday the USAC National Sprint competitors made the switch from dirt to pavement.   Winchester Speedway, known for its blistering high speeds and high banked surface is one of Cole’s favorite tracks and it showed.  Whitt was fastest in both practice sessions flirting with the track record mark of 14.02 previously held by Dave Steele.   In qualifying, Cole, was the first car out and set the mark by breaking the track record, with a 14.003.  As qualifying progressed Whitt would have to settle for 2nd as Tracy Hines was able to best Cole’s record with a 13.964.  Both Whitt and Hines were the only cars to go below the track record mark.   After a 2nd place finish in the heat race, Cole started the feature in 5th due to the top 6 cars being inverted for the start.  For several laps Whitt would make several attempts at passing but due to the high speeds and a slightly loose car Whitt drove a smart race to finish 5th.   

 

 

Post weekend Cole had this to say, “We had two solid top 5’s this weekend, both nights we were fast and it always feels good to be fast right out of the gate.  We continue to have strong results, yet the point leaders are finishing strong too.  The point battle is pretty tight but we will keep going for it.  I am looking forward to heading out to California and race in my home town.  It will be cool to race in front of family and friends.”