ARCA RACING SERIES REVIEW: KENTUCKY SPEEDWAY
MOORESVILLE, N.C. (Sept. 26, 2017) – Friday’s Crosley 150 at Kentucky Speedway located in Sparta, Ky., was the second to last ARCA Racing Series (ARS) Presented by Menards event of the 2017 season. MDM Motorsports, winners of five ARS events this season, fielded three entries in the 150-mile race with drivers Sheldon Creed, Vinnie Miller, and Zane Smith.
Creed led the way for the Mooresville, N.C., organization in qualifying, scoring his first career General Tire Pole Award behind the wheel of the No. 28 United Rentals/A.M. Ortega Construction Toyota. Smith, making his second start with MDM Motorsports, qualified second in the No. 8 La Paz Products Toyota, and Miller qualified 18th in the Master Mfg. Inc., Toyota.
Creed, a two-time Speed Energy Stadium Super Truck Series Champion, dominated the race, leading 68 laps despite a lengthy midrace pit stop due to a jack that failed. The Alpine, Calif., native went on to finish third. His teammate Smith recovered from an early brush with the wall and multiple pit stops to finish second, getting around the No. 28 Toyota of Creed coming off turn four to the checkered flag. Miller struggled with the handling of his No. 41 Master Mfg. Inc., Toyota all day. A pit road penalty for “pit crew over the wall to soon,” added . He finished 13th.
Zane Smith, driver of the La Paz Products No. 8… Friday’s ARS Crosley 150 was Smith’s second career race at Kentucky Speedway, as well as his second start with MDM Motorsports. Smith qualified second in the La Paz Products No. 8 Toyota. The 18-year-old driver brushed the wall early and made multiple pit stops during the first couple of caution periods. With Mardy Lindley calling the shots, his team was able to repair the Toyota Camry, and he began working his way back towards the front. A great final restart and a last lap pass propelled Smith to a second-place finish. It was his second consecutive top-two finish.
Smith on Kentucky: “That final lap was the best we ran all night,” said Smith. “On the final restart, that thing was pretty hooked up, especially in dirty air. I have never heard ‘four-wide’ more from my spotter than I did tonight. I made a lot of mistakes tonight and hate it for MDM. They gave me a great car. I really wanted that one. I touched the gray on the initial start, and it was like ice up there. Maybe I’m just trying too hard. I’m excited to get to Kansas in a few weeks.”
Sheldon Creed, driver of the United Rentals/A.M. Ortega Construction No. 28… Creed had a breakout performance on Friday evening. He won his first General Tire Pole Award and led 68 of 100 laps, despite having a slow pit stop due to a faulty jack midway through the race. Track position played a large role in the event because of a narrow racing groove. Creed got stuck on the outside on the final restart and wasn’t able to get back to the lead. He finished third, his fifth ARS top-five of the season.
Creed on Kentucky: “I had a great race car to work with. We pretty much dominated the race, but the cautions just kept coming. That’s how it goes. We had a really good race car. I could conserve a lot and go when I needed to. Wish we could have gotten alongside the 52 to change up his line. The restarts were crazy. I got kicked sideways there at the end. The MDM guys gave me the car to win with, and that’s all you can ask for. I really like the hard compound that General Tire brought. It didn’t fall off, and it got faster. I’m looking forward to the ARCA season finale at Kansas in a few weeks. We’ll be a threat for the win there.”
Vinnie Miller, driver of the Master Mfg. Inc., No. 41… Miller made the trip to the Bluegrass State after making his NASCAR XFINITY Series debut last Saturday afternoon. Fighting a loose race car and a very slick track, he qualified 18th. He worked his way into the top-15 early, and it looked as if the Michigan native had a top-10 car. A penalty for “pit crew over the wall to soon,” cost Miller valuable track position. He was able to fight back inside the top-15, finishing 13th in the Crosley 150.
Miller on Kentucky: “It was a frustrating night for our team for sure. I think we had a better car than we showed, but we were just never able to get the track position we needed. I can’t thank MDM Motorsports enough for all their hard work. We have had speed all year, and I wouldn’t trade my team for any other team.”
This Friday, MDM Motorsports will race for the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East Championship at Dover International Speedway with driver, Harrison Burton. Additionally, the ARS finale is scheduled for Oct. 20 at Kansas Speedway. For more information about MDM Motorsports, including driver development opportunities for the 2018 season, visit www.MDMMotorsports.com.
