8/6/2013
Cole Wood
Wood Learns Qualifying Lesson During 360 Knoxville Nationals
Inside Line Promotions – OSKALOOSA, Iowa (Aug. 6, 2013) – Qualifying is one of the most important aspects of the Knoxville Nationals.
For Cole Wood last Thursday, it put him behind the eight ball during his preliminary night at the 23rd annual Arnold Motor Supply 360 Knoxville Nationals.
“Qualifying was my fault,” he said after timing in 44th quickest. “Both my laps were pretty decent except coming off (turn) four I came off in the slick and spun my tires. My qualifying time messed up my whole week.”
That started him last – ninth – in a heat race on the narrow track. Wood picked up a position to end eighth and was relegated to the B Main, which is when things began to click.
“We put together a good run,” he said after maneuvered from 18th to 11th. “I’d say it was a great learning experience. I think I learned more in that one night running my B Main than I have before. I got comfortable running the cushion and learned a bunch.”
After points were added up from the two preliminary nights, Wood started the D Main on Saturday on the inside of the fourth row. He advanced to fifth place to garner a transfer to the back of the C Main.
“Between the D Main and the C Main they tightened up the car and I think we tightened it up too much,” he said. “It wanted to keep going instead of stopping and rotating through the corners.”
Wood’s 360 Knoxville Nationals ended with an 18th-place result in the C Main.
He returned to Knoxville Raceway on Sunday for the Second annual Capitani Classic, but the night ended early with a violent crash in turn one.
“Sunday night in hot laps the left rear tire blew and junked the car,” he said. “It blew out going into the corner. The left rear dug in and spun around. It barrel rolled and I got pretty high in the air.”
The team put together a new car for Monday’s Lucas Oil ASCS National Tour race at Southern Iowa Speedway for the Front Row Challenge.
Wood started and finished second in his heat race on the heavy track to advance to the feature, which he started 15th.
“I think the car was a lot better than where we finished,” he said. “It felt like it was getting over on the right rear and bouncing. After destroying a car on Sunday I was a little more hesitant than I should be.”
Wood rallied to place 11th.
He is scheduled to return to Knoxville Raceway for the 53rd annual FVP Knoxville Nationals Wednesday through Saturday.
QUICK RESULTS –
Aug. 2 – Knoxville Raceway in Knoxville, Iowa – Qualifying: 44; Heat race: 8 (9); B Main: 11 (18).
Aug. 3 – Knoxville Raceway in Knoxville, Iowa – D Main: 5 (7); C Main: 18 (21).
Aug. 5 – Southern Iowa Speedway in Oskaloosa, Iowa – Heat race: 2 (2); Feature: 11 (15).
SEASON STATS –
45 races, 0 wins, 7 top fives, 12 top 10s, 26 top 15s, 38 top 20s
UP NEXT –
Wednesday through Saturday at the 53rd annual FVP Knoxville Nationals at Knoxville Raceway in Knoxville, Iowa
MEDIA LINKS –
Website: http://www.ColeWoodRacing.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/wood17w
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Cole-Wood-Racing/246046125428603?fref=ts
APPAREL –
Wood has t-shirts and hats available at his race car trailer at every race. For a schedule of events, visit http://www.ColeWoodRacing.com.
SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT – A.R.T. Speed Equipment
Established in 1976, A.R.T. Speed Equipment is a parts and fabrication shop with a huge inventory of sprint car and mini sprint parts. A.R.T. also builds top-notch chassis. For more information, visit http://www.ARTspeedequip.com.
“Everybody at Cole Wood Racing is very thankful for everything that Art and Glen do at A.R.T.,” Wood said. “They help us out with the best of equipment.”
Wood would also like to thank Elk Grove Ford, Roush Yates Racing Engines, Wion’s Body Shop, Keizer Aluminum Wheels, Awesome Racewear, ButlerBuilt Professional Seat Systems, CSI Shocks, Quick Lane Tire & Auto Center, NorCal Boxer Rescue and The Joie of Seating for their continued support.
INSIDE LINE PROMOTIONS –
Inside Line Promotions specializes in affordable public relations, media management and merchandising services for sprint car teams. ILP Founder Shawn Miller leverages professional journalism with new media technologies and social networking to improve your exposure and your sponsors’ return on investment.
To meet the media relations needs of your team, contact Shawn at 541-510-3663 or sprintcarreporter@yahoo.com. For more information on Inside Line Promotions, visit http://www.insidelinepromotions.com.
Article Credit: Inside Line Promotions
Submitted By: Shawn Miller
