5/13/2019
Joel Rayborne
USAC/CRA Bakersfield
Well the USAC CRA Sprint Car Series race at Bakersfield Speedway last Saturday was a bit rough but due to some attrition we walked away with a top 10.
Right from the get go the track was tight and we worked hard to get the car free'd up and it was a challenge. For qualifying I managed to put together a good 1&2 and a good 3&4 but I didnt do them on the same lap and the time showed. Back to the pits and worked on freeing the car up even more for the heat race. We were inching closer to a good setup but car was still tight and I was more worried about avoiding the car infront of me that was struggling and heat races dont pay and we finished 7th.
For the main we threw some more at it and the car was very comfortable to drive and it was fast. Moving from 15-8th in the first few laps looked like we were going to have another good run. However, the yellow came out and as I slowed on the backstretch to miss the mess in turn three another car climbed over the back of our car and locked onto the rear bumber. After we got disconnected I was sent to the rear for the restart. Putting a bunch of fast laps together and moving forward we were caught up in another mishap that left the Jim Blakesley / Don Blair Special #12B injured and not looking pretty.
After the red flag we restarted and the car did not sound healthy so I decided to pull to the infield with 4 laps to go.
Possibly losing a spot or two in the finish is a bummer but it is not worth tearing up equipment.
We ended the night 10th rolled the car in the trailer slighty damaged and for 2 weeks in row have proven we can run with some of the front runners. Running with some of the best in the sport will only continue to make me better.
Big thanks to Jimmy May for coming over and helping us reset the idle on the car to get it lowered.
Next race is Salute to Indy at Perris, Perris Auto Speedway May 25th. Bring all your friends and family for a great event.
Thank you to the people and companies that help me continue to chase my dreams week in and week out at the race track. I am the luckiest 16 year old around.
Jim Blakesley, A&J Racing Quarter Midgets, DJ Safety, Justice Brothers, Okie Race Cars, ROW Signs & Graphics, Jake Swanson Shock Technology, Inland Rigging
Rodney Rayborne, Tobey Sampson, Tim McGrath, Ben Conant, Justin Coumans, Jake Swanson, Tommy and Christy Anuhea Dunkel, USAC Racing, Chris Kearns, Tony Jones, Mooseracing92, Sam Bahr, Rick Fulton, Brooks Rayborne, Donald Mac Askill, Scott Lee Daloisio, Brody Roa Racing - BR Performance, Don Kazarian
Submitted By: Rodney Rayborne
