Inside Line Promotions
– HIGHLANDS, Texas (May 2) – Saturday was a new race day with a familiar but unexplainable outcome for Channin Tankersley.
The 20-year-old from Highlands, Texas, had yet another top-five run stymied by a mechanical failure. Tankersley was running fourth midway through the ASCS Gulf South Region feature at Battleground Speedway in his hometown when the driveshaft broke, sending him to the pits with a 23rd-place finish.
“I had the whole driveline and rear end out of the car last week and looked at it, and everything was fine,” he said. “I maintenance the car beyond expectations and stuff is still breaking. I just don’t know what’s going on.”
In eight events this season, Saturday was the fifth race ended by a parts failure or wreck. It was also the final setback that he said likely eliminated him from contention for the ASCS Gulf South Region championship, which he now ranks 10th – 187 points out of the lead.
“We potentially had a second- or third-place car and it just killed us on that,” he said. “We’re out of the points race. There isn’t any way of making that up. Now we’re just going for wins instead of points racing.”
However, Saturday started well for Tankersley, who made a last-lap pass to win his heat race. That earned him enough points to be in the redraw, which he pulled the No. 6 to start on the outside of the third row for the feature.
Tankersley worked his way into the top five and was on the bumper of the third-place car when the mechanical issue ended his race.
“I really hope things turn around quickly,” he said. “We’ve been fast and up front a lot, but just don’t have the finishes we should.”
He is scheduled to return to the track on May 13 at Golden Triangle Raceway Park in Beaumont, Texas, and May 14 at Texana Raceway Park in Edna, Texas. Both races are with the ASCS Gulf South.
QUICK RESULTS –
April 30 – Battleground Speedway in Highlands, Texas – Heat race: 1 (2); Feature: 23 (6).
SEASON STATS –
7 races, 6 features, 0 wins, 1 top five, 1 top 10, 2 top 15s, 5 top 20s
UP NEXT –
May 13 at Golden Triangle Raceway Park in Beaumont, Texas, and May 14 at Texana Raceway Park in Edna, Texas, with the ASCS Gulf South Region
FAVORITE NUMBER –
10: The points position Tankersley ranks with the ASCS Gulf South Region.
SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS –
Twitter: www.twitter.com/Tankersley71
SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT – Miller’s Machine & Welding
Established in 1979, Miller’s Machine & Welding builds custom aluminum and stainless steel tanks, stands and structures for all sizes of boats, trucks and specialty automobiles. For more information, visit www.millersmachineandwelding.com.
“Miller’s Machine & Welding has helped me out on all my machining and fabricating,” Tankersley said. “As everyone knows, most of this stuff in racing has to be built to fit your suit and Miller’s Machine & Welding makes my life a lot easier. They do a great job and I know they can fix anything I tear up.”
Tankersley would like to thank his sponsors, including Griffith Truck & Equipment and Custom Vinyl Designs for their continued support.