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– BRANDON, S.D. (July 12) – It was a top 10, but oh so close to something much better. And for Austen Wheatley, it was another example of a fast car and a ton of potential.
The 18-year-old finished 10th at Huset’s Speedway in Brandon, S.D., in his return to the Midwest. However, he had been running in the top three for most of the feature, which was his first in a 410 engine at the 3/8-mile, high-banked dirt oval.
“We were definitely fast,” he said. “A top five was in the cards and where we should have been.”
On a restart with seven laps remaining, Shane Stewart slid by Wheatley for third place. Wheatley pulled the same move entering turn three to regain third. However, as they raced into turn one, Stewart’s slide job was a little too close and he collided with Wheatley.
“It bent the watts link and the front axel,” he said. “We went to the work area, but weren’t able to change anything. It was just a racing deal.”
Wheatley restarted at the tail of the field and captured 10th – his third of the season. It was the cap on a solid night, which including Wheatley qualifying fifth and finishing third in his heat race.
His Midwest swing continues on Wednesday at Limaland Motorsports Park in Lima, Ohio, for the Brad Doty Classic. Wheatley will then race the Kings Royal – a $50,000-to-win event – on Friday and Saturday at Eldora Speedway in Rossburg, Ohio. All are with the World of Outlaws.
“At the beginning of the year we were fast, but I struggled a little bit,” Wheatley said. “So coming back and being as fast as we are every week is a big help. I’m making mistakes and the more I race, the more consistent I will be.”
QUICK RESULTS –
July 10 – Huset’s Speedway in Brandon, S.D. – Qualifying: 5; Heat race: 3 (4); Feature: 10 (2).
SEASON STATS –
15 races, 9 features, 0 wins, 1 top five, 3 top 10s, 4 top 15s, 5 top 20s
UP NEXT –
Wednesday at Limaland Motorsports Park in Lima, Ohio, for the Brad Doty Classic, and Friday and Saturday at Eldora Speedway in Rossburg, Ohio, for the Kings Royal with the World of Outlaws
FAVORITE NUMBER –
2: Consecutive top-10 finishes for Wheatley, including a 10th in his first 410 race at Huset’s Speedway in Brandon, S.D., last Saturday.
SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS –
Website: www.austenwheatley.com
Twitter: http://twitter.com/MiniWheats44w
APPAREL –
Wheatley has gray and white t-shirts, gray sweatshirts and charcoal gray hats and beanies for sale. For more information, visit www.austenwheatley.com.
SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT – Brown & Miller Racing Solutions
Based in Concord, N.C., Brown & Miller Racing Solutions distributes professional racing hoses and fittings. For more information, visit www.bmrs.net.
“We bought a hose machine and we do all our hoses,” Wheatley said. “BMRS just ships us what we need, so it’s really easy and convenient.”
Wheatley would like to thank his sponsors, including Wolfweld, The Oil Medics, SpeedMart, Fire-Down Graphics, Advanced Racing Suspensions, Astro Titanium, DMI, Goodyear and Redlined Welding & Construction for their continued support.