Friday June 27th Redline Raceway

Kevin Hartnett drove the Generation II Construction, Kline Motorsports 55 Big Block Modified to Victory Friday night a Redline Raceway. Starting outside the second row he quickly made his way to the third spot and was setting his sights on second by lap two. After attempting to pass the 412 of points leader Aaron Jacobus on the inside several time, he moved up top, and powered around him on the outside and into second on lap 13. Kevin started running down the 19 of last years Track Champion Brent Boyer. A red flag halted action on lap 20 when a tractor tire got wrapped around a tire on a car, talk about stagger. It took the track crew a few minutes to figure out how to get it off, and then the racing resumed. On the restart Kevin got under the 19 and had the lead coming out of two when the yellow came out. Because they hadn’t completed a lap the field reverted back, and he was still second. On the ensuing restart he worked low and on the second pass got around the 19 in the same spot in turn one. From there it was all Kevin as he started pulling away and took the checkered flag. What a difference a few weeks make. Congratulation Kevin on your first win at Redline Raceway.

Kevin Hartnett

I Elect to go to the Rear of the Field

What ever happened to those words. Should a new driver who has only raced 2 or 3 races have the right to start on the pole? I think all tracks should add two rules to their handicapping system. And they would be; Any rookie driver must start in the rear of the field and run a complete race without being the cause of a yellow flag before they are allowed to enter the handicapping system. The second would be that a drivers handicap points must be at least 66% of the point leader points to start on the pole. It seems today, to many drivers have no respect for other peoples equipment, or even their own equipment. They can’t make it around the track by themselves without spinning out, however they still have no problem with starting on the pole, spinning in front of the field, wrecking their car and a few others. Why do they start on the pole, because they think it’s their right, because that is where they are handicapped. Maybe with these rules a few will get the hint and say “I Elect to go to the Rear of the Field” until they are ready to start up front.

Friday the 13th – Redline Raceway

Where do I start with this week. Maybe it’s best to start with… we needed the welder to cut parts off the car in order to get it onto the trailer to come home. The night started with Kevin starting 5th in his heat with four to qualify. He ran as hard as he could on a slick one lane track to get the forth and final spot. He started tenth in the feature and was working his way forward, and was going for the fifth spot when the first problem happened. He turned under the 21 coming out of turn two, and for some reason the 21 decided to try and shove him down into the infield. After he bounced off for the third time Kevin let him go, at which time he slid hard into turn three and tried to chop down but went around a ring and blocked the track. Because Kevin (was involved) stopped to avoid hitting the 21 he had to restart from the rear. Things went down hill from there with the drivers not being able to see very well because of dust. Somehow Kevin managed to get through the first big wreck when someone punted him through it from behind, but he wasn’t as lucky on the last big one. Two cars got together, I don’t know who because you could hardly see the track for the dust. Well cars just started piling in and we were right in the middle of it all. (Update) Heavy damage to the Generation II Construction, Kline Motorsports 55, however it will be ready for next week with a lot of work. The rear bumper is totaled, springbar ripped off, torque plates both bent, drag link bent, right rear shock bent, two tires gone, one wheel bent, Interhoops and right side rubrail destroyed, Header may be bent and the list goes on and on.

Friday June 6th Redline Raceway

Kevin started 4th in his heat race and finished 1st with a very strong running car. He started 10th in the feature and was moving forward fast when the 711 chopped him hard coming out of 2 and he got spun around. He went to the rear along with the 711 and 21. Kevin started his way back towards the front picking off cars one at a time high and low. The 30+ did manage to slam him hard in turn 3 but the new rubrails seemed to help and he was able to continue forward. By the time the checkered flag flew he was up the sixth. Another good finish and the car is in good shape. We learned a lot and still have some work to make the car faster. It’s going to get interesting now!