7/19/2011
Eric Schulz
Hot Week of Racing
The past week for Eric has reached both sides of the scale as far as luck and fortune. The team started off the week in Sioux Center, IA on Wednesday night for the fair race. After an hour and half rain delay the track was heavy and fast. Eric said that he was glad to have the ½ mile experience so he could hold the pedal to the metal on a fast track. After all was said and done Eric came home with a solid third place, from fifth. “I was feeling pretty confident at the start of the race, but as two cars got around me, I knew that I wouldn’t have much for them towards the end. Their cars seemed to handle better and better, as mine got worse,” stated Eric.
Next on the list was the HRA Sprint Car Special in Rock Rapids, IA. The team found out, after getting to the track, that it had over 4 inches of rain over night and was going to be another heavy race track. Eric rolled out for the heat starting in third and patiently making his way to the point. With the invert, Eric had to start on the inside of row 3 for the feature. With the lesson from Sioux Center fresh in the back of their minds, the crew set up for the end of the race. As the race got under way, it was the Papik Motors number 4 Sprinter that was setting an example of going to the front, and by just past the half way mark of the race, Eric grabbed the lead and never looked back. “I got a little nervous when I found myself in the lead, I knew what I had behind me for talent and wasn’t sure how many laps were left. I told myself, just cut smooth laps, you’ve been in the lead before, just worry about your race,” said Eric. The #4 racer had just under a strait away lead when he caught lapped traffic and maneuvered around them as quick as he could. All the effort paid off as Eric pulled up to victory lane for the first time in 2011 claiming the trophy and bonus money put up for the Non-wing Special!
Saturday it was off to Jackson, MN in Dick Veekner’s Sprint. The night started off with a good handling car for the heat, although Eric still wound up 5th. Eric would start towards the rear of the feature and on the opening lap in turns 3 and 4 a car got upside down and Eric had nowhere to go, tangling with the car ahead of him. “With all the wings standing tall in front of me, it was too late to do much after I saw the car flipping.” The car suffered some damage to the frame and suspension, but is fixable and will be back on the track in the future. No one was injured in the accident.
You can catch Eric at it again this Friday night in Rock Rapids, IA with the HRA. Go to www.facebook.com/ericschulzracing and become a fan to get more up to date updates of what Eric is up to on any date!!!
