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Rilat Comes Up Short in Bid for First Victory at Skagit Speedway

Inside Line Promotions - ALGER, Wash. (May 28, 2013) - Travis Rilat was going for the win.

After Saturday's ASCS Northwest Region opener was rained out at Grays Harbor Raceway in Elma, Wash., Rilat put himself in position to record his first win of the season in Richard Saumure's No. 39c after the team changed plans to head to Skagit Speedway.

"We made it just in time for qualifying," Rilat said. "We high-tailed it out of (Elma) at 2:30 p.m. and got there at 5:30 p.m."

Rilat qualified eighth quickest and won his heat race to advance to the feature, which he started eighth. Because of approaching weather, the main event was shortened from 25 laps to 20 laps.

"A couple of laps into it we got held back by a car that had all but spun in turn four," he said. "I had to drive to the infield and that put us back about a half a lap."

Rilat maneuvered into the top five on Lap 8 and worked his way to fourth two laps later. With four laps remaining Rilat advanced to third place and started to close on Trey Starks and Jason Solwold, who ran first and second, respectively.

A red flag was waved in the closing laps, setting up a green-white-checkered finish.

"I had a chance to make a move and I did and it didn't wind up good for me or Solwold," Rilat said. "Going into turn three there was contact between my right rear and his left front. It's one of those deals where maybe I shouldn't have went and maybe he should have backed off a bit."

Rilat was unable to continue because of the damage and was relegated to a 13th-place finish.

"We had a car to win it with 20 laps," he said. "With 25 laps, I think we had the car to win."

Rilat is taking the next couple of weeks off before returning on June 14 with the Lucas Oil ASCS National Tour at Kennedale Speedway Park in Kennedale, Texas.

QUICK RESULTS -

May 25 - Skagit Speedway in Alger, Wash. - Qualifying: 8; Heat race: 1 (2); Feature: 13 (8).

SEASON STATS -

8 races, 0 wins, 3 top fives, 4 top 10s, 5 top 15s, 8 top 20s

UP NEXT -

Friday, June 14, at Kennedale Speedway Park in Kennedale, Texas, and Saturday, June 15, at Devil's Bowl Speedway in Mesquite, Texas, with the Lucas Oil ASCS National Tour

MEDIA LINKS -

Twitter: www.twitter.com/TravisRilat

SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT - Shark Racing Engines

Located in Sedro-Woolley, Wash., Shark Racing Engines has been building high-performance racing engines for almost 25 years. For more information, visit SharkRacingEngines.com.

"It's kind of funny how I met (Shark owner) Marc Huson when I went up there to Washington for an ASCS National Tour race and Triple X Race Co. was next door," Rilat said. "I was wandering around talking on my cell phone and saw a sprint car next door. I walked over, looked around and introduced myself.

"He's been a great friend. He was instrumental with a support group for me and my family when I was in the hospital up there. He and his wife helped us out in a hard time. As far as his engine skills go, he's one of the best in the country. There's only a handful of great engine builders across the country and I consider him one of the best."

Rilat would also like to thank Xtreme Oilfield Technology, Carlan Services, Northern Provincial Pipelines, Matt's Oilfield Services, TriJet Manufacturing Services, Northern Lights Welding, Camex VP, Rob Wright Building Supplies, Scott Safety, Max Fuel, Jaron Water Hauling, Maxim, Factory Kahne, HRP, Ti22, Weld Wheels, Ben Cook Racing and Smiley's Racing Products among others for their continued support on Richard Saumure's No. 39c Maxim.

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 www.insidelinepromotions.com.

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