It was a rollercoaster ride!
Daryl got off to a fantastic start, winning the time trials with the fastest lap time of 14.409 seconds (75 mph). The top 10 fastest cars draw for starting positions in a 10-lap race to determine their starting spot in the main event. Daryl drew 4th and finished a strategic 5th for an inside starting position in the 100-lap feature.
The main race began inauspiciously with another car dumping oil on the track in lap 1- quickly coming to light in lap 2 when the 66 and a few other of the top 5 competitors spun out. Eventually, as the track was cleaned up and the offender parked, the officials decided to give the affected drivers their positions back for the restart.
With the delays, it was now getting dark and cold. After 10 laps the 66 started getting very tight. Halfway through the race the engine started cutting out through the turns- not helpful! Within a couple of laps an incident brought the caution out and Daryl pitted to fix the ignition problem. As the incidents on the track continued, and Daryl successfully avoided them, the team used the cautions to free up the car for better handling. Daryl raced back to 10th spot before getting caught up in a turn 3 crash with 15 laps to go. This required one final pit stop to pull the quarter panel off the tire before Daryl finished the race in 12th place.
Our next race is in Antigonish, July 17th- the first of three 250-lap Triple Crown races. Hope to see you there!
Daryl and the 66 team