Inside Line Promotions
– HANFORD, Calif. (April 25) – He was forced to coast to the pits and gingerly pull up to his trailer.
But that didn’t matter to Trey Starks after he recorded his first career podium finish on Saturday at Giant Chevrolet Kings Speedway in Hanford, Calif., at the inaugural ASCS Southern California Region event.
The 15-year-old from Puyallup, Wash., lost his brakes midway through the feature, but managed to earn a second-place finish – his best ever.
“I’m just happy to be back up front,” Starks said.
Starks drove from fifth to third in his heat race, which gave him a spot in the redraw. He pulled the No. 2, giving him the outside front row starting position for the feature.
Polesitter Steven Tiner beat Starks to the top in turn one on the start, which began a spirited battle between the two.
“I ran with Tiner until about lap eight or nine,” Starks said. “As we got into lapped traffic, I got above Tiner and we actually made contact going into turn three.”
As Starks dove back to the bottom, he entered the slick part of the turn and Tommy Tarlton was able to get to the bottom first. Tarlton slid by Starks and Tiner for the lead.
After a red flag two laps later, Starks chased Tarlton on the bottom of the track in turn one on a restart.
“It was so chunky that Tarlton threw up a rock and knocked the brake line off,” he said. “It was so unstable because I didn’t have the brake to hold the car down. I was just all over the place on the cushion.”
Starks raced the remainder of the race without brakes and Tarlton was able to pull away by a straightaway in the closing laps for the win.
The runner-up finish put Starks second in points with the ASCS Southern California after the first event. Starks will run with that region this Saturday at Thunderbowl Raceway in Tulare, Calif.
He’s finished eighth with the ASCS National Tour, 17th with the World of Outlaws and 20th with the King of the West Sprint Car Series at the 1/3rd-mile oval this season.
QUICK RESULTS –
April 23 – Giant Chevrolet Kings Speedway in Hanford, Calif. – Heat race: 3 (5); Feature: 2 (2).
SEASON STATS –
14 races, 12 features, 0 wins, 1 top five, 3 top 10s, 6 top 15s, 10 top 20s
UP NEXT –
Saturday at Thunderbowl Raceway in Tulare, Calif., with the ASCS Southern California Region
FAVORITE NUMBER –
10: Of Starks’ 14 races this season have been in the state of California, where he has advanced to the feature nine times.
SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS –
Website: www.treystarksracing.com
Twitter: http://twitter.com/TreyStarks55
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/TreyStarksRacing
APPAREL –
Starks has shirts, sweatshirts and beanies for sale. The colors are black and gray for the shirts and hooded sweatshirts. Shirts are $15, sweatshirts are $30 and black beanies are $15. All sizes range from small to XL. For ordering information, visit www.treystarksracing.com.
SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT – Northwest Powder Coating & Sandblasting
Based out of Seattle, Northwest Powder Coating & Sandblasting is a powder coating business. It is owned by crew member Dallas Melby’s father, Chris.
“Chris, Dallas and Northwest Powder Coating & Sandblasting does a great job of making my car look awesome,” Trey said. “From the frame to the wings and everything in between, Northwest Powder Coating & Sandblasting does a clean, professional job.”
Starks would like to thank his sponsors, including Starks Timber Processing, Blue Dot Fabrications, Masco Petroleum and SpeedMart for their continued support.