3/22/2016
Peck Opens Season At “Shamrock Classic”
(Photo by Scott Frazier Photography)
DU QUOIN, Ill. – Two long months of preparation for the upcoming season finally came to a close for Justin Peck this weekend. The Monrovia, Ind. racer was in action for the first time this season on Saturday. At the Southern Illinois Fairgrounds in Du Quoin, 54 racers signed in for action in the USAC Midget season-opening “Shamrock Classic.”
The tight confines of the indoor speedway called for pill draw setting heat race lineups, rather than the usual USAC qualifying procedure. Unfortunately for Peck, drawing a high number put him at the tail of his heat. Regardless, a scorching run with new Toyota power under the hood was enough to bail him out; Peck’s rally from eighth to second earned him the highest point total moving forward to qualifiers.
Six cars inverted in each of four qualifiers meant Peck would be starting from sixth in race one. Peck got the jump ahead and into fifth early in that ten-lap event, but reverted back to sixth on lap four. He was unsuccessful in taking the spot once more, and much of the field finished in the same order they had started in.
Track conditions would improve greatly for the 50-lap main event, in which Peck’s preliminary action locked him into the 12th starting spot. Attrition in the beginning of the race forced numerous caution periods before a lap was able to be completed, but the racing action soon heated up. The rising star of the midget ranks was quickly battling for a top-five spot by lap five, but a car slowing in front of the Dura Coat No. 5x caused Peck to come to a stop. Relegated to the rear, he began to advance through the field once more. Though reaching 12th at the halfway point, Peck ultimately slipped back in the waning laps, closing the race out in 17th.
Peck would like to thank Dura Coat Products, Stanton Racing Engines, Factory Kahne, DRC Chassis, Simpson Race Products, Lucas Oil, Keizer Wheels, Hoosier Racing Tire, Saldana Racing Products, Thomas Railroad Construction, Pit Stop BBQ & Grill, Kwik Change Products, and Spider Graphix, as well as his parents, crew, and all of his fans for their continued support.
Peck is next scheduled to compete on April 1-2 at Port City Raceway in Tulsa, Okla. with the POWRi National Midget Series in the No. 5X midget entry.
Quick Results
March 19 – Du Quoin, IL – Midget – Heat: 2nd (8); Qualifier: 6th (6); Feature: 17th (12)
Social Media
Website: http://www.justinpeckracing.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/justinpeckracing
Twitter: http://twitter.com/justin_peck5
Instagram: http://instagram.com/justin_peck5
Article Credit: Redbeard Promotions
