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Smith Pinpoints Qualifying Woes as Culprit During World of Outlaws Doubleheader

(Photo by Trent Gower Photography)

Inside Line Promotions – PORT ROYAL, Pa. (Oct. 20, 2016) – Ryan Smith knows that qualifying laps are key when racing with the World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series.

“Those four laps put us behind all weekend,” he said. “The tracks were hammer down and I was just too tight. The way the Outlaws format is if you don’t time in the top eight you’re in trouble all night.”

Last weekend began on Friday when Smith competed in the rescheduled National Open at Williams Grove Speedway in Mechanicsburg, Pa. He qualified 19th in his group, which put him at the tail of a heat race.

“The track was fast and it was hard to pass,” he said. “I had to go to the C feature and transferred to the B Main. But I had to start in the back and on a fast track like that with all the dirty air you just can’t pass. I just hung around and loaded it up in one piece.”

Smith, who ended eighth in the heat race, placed second in the C Main before closing the night with a 12th-place result in the Last Chance Showdown.

Smith and the Warko Racing team headed to Port Royal Speedway on Saturday to once again take on the World of Outlaws. Unfortunately, Smith’s qualifying laps put him behind the eight ball for the night.

“On Friday we were tight in warm-ups, but I thought the track might come to us in qualifying and it didn’t,” he said. “I wasn’t going to let that happen again Saturday so we made some adjustments after hot laps and the car was better, but still a tick too tight.”

Smith timed in 22nd overall and he finished ninth in a heat race, which lined him up on the outside of the third row for the Last Chance Showdown.

“I had a shot at a transfer in the B Main on a restart, but got blocked and had to roll out of the throttle and that was my only shot,” he said after finishing sixth in the consolation race.

Smith is putting together a different car for the rest of the season.

“We’re going to try this X-1 race car,” he said. “Ryan Linder builds a really good car and does whatever you ask of him. And we’re taking the engine to the builder to put on the dyno and see if we can get a little more horsepower.”
Smith is slated to compete this Saturday at Port Royal Speedway.

QUICK RESULTS –

Oct. 14 – Williams Grove Speedway in Mechanicsburg, Pa. – Qualifying: 43; Heat race: 8 (10); C Main: 2 (4); B Main: 12 (16).

Oct. 15 – Port Royal Speedway in Port Royal, Pa. – Qualifying: 22; Heat race: 9 (7); B Main: 6 (6).

SEASON STATS –

65 races, 1 wins, 16 top fives, 32 top 10s, 47 top 15s, 53 top 20s

UP NEXT –

Saturday at Port Royal Speedway in Port Royal, Pa.

MEDIA LINKS –

Website: http://www.RyanSmithRacing.com

Twitter: https://twitter.com/RyanSmithRacing

Twitter Race Updates: https://twitter.com/DeniseS_SS

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RyanSmith.TheKunkletownKid

Instagram: https://instagram.com/denises_ss

APPAREL –

Visit http://www.RyanSmithRacing.com to view the latest apparel options, which include t-shirts and hoodies.

SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT – HP Engines

HP Engines is a racing engine business located in Thompsontown, Pa.

“It’s a smaller operation, but they build a good, reliable motor that makes a lot of horsepower,” Smith said. “We have had zero motor issues for the past two years. Not a lot of engine builders can say that.”

Smith would also like to thank The Warko Group, G.L.T. Electrical, CnB Chubby, Fighting Angels Foundation, S&S Speedways, Quality Roofing Supply, East Coast Helicopter Tours, Armbruster Racing Photos, Thunder on the Hill Racing Series, Pancho’s Racing Products, GME Steering and Vahlco Racing Wheels for their continued support.

INSIDE LINE PROMOTIONS –

Inside Line Promotions specializes in affordable public relations and media management for motor sports drivers, teams, sponsors, tracks, series, events, organizations and manufacturers. ILP Founder Shawn Miller leverages professional journalism with new media technologies and social networking to improve your exposure and the return on investment for your sponsors.

To meet the media relations needs of your program by joining Team ILP, contact Shawn at 541-510-3663 or Shawn@InsideLinePromotions.com. For more information on Inside Line Promotions, visit http://www.InsideLinePromotions.com.

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