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– COTTAGE GROVE, Ore. (July 25) – Although he accomplished his goal, Trey Starks isn’t quite happy with last weekend’s results.
The 15-year-old from Puyallup, Wash., advanced to each feature with the ASCS National Tour at the Cottage Grove Speedway in Cottage Grove, Ore. However, his 17th- and 19th-place finishes left Starks dissatisfied.
“My goal heading into the weekend was to make both main events,” he said. “Last year we made the main one night. We’ve improved. But I really wanted a top 10.
“To be honest, I’m not very satisfied. It’s not very fun to run in the back.”
Starks struggled in his heat race on Friday against arguably the best 360 sprint car tour in the country. He was relegated to starting 13th in the 15-lap B Main, which transferred the top six. That wasn’t a deterrent and Starks picked off his competition, car by car until he finished fifth.
“In the B Main, the car was awesome,” he said. “That was the best car I had all weekend. I could drive it anywhere I wanted to.”
Starks started the feature 21st and finished 17th – his 28th top 20 in 30 features this season.
Saturday started off better as the second-year driver began his heat race on the pole. He led all 10 laps to claim his first career ASCS National Tour heat race win, which locked him into the feature.
“That was pretty cool,” he said. “I was trying a bunch of different lines to see what would work.”
Starks started the feature ninth and he ran in the top 10 for most of the race until his left rear tire blew out with four laps remaining. The team changed the tire and he rejoined the field as it received the green flag. Starks finished 19th.
“We just didn’t really execute in the mains,” he said. “I know we’ve got a car that can run in the top 10. I just have to put it all together.”
The two races also awarded points with the ASCS Northwest Region, which Starks continues to rank fourth in.
He will race on Saturday at Skagit Speedway in Alger, Wash., as a tune-up for the 360 Nationals, which is the following weekend at the 3/10-mile track.
QUICK RESULTS –
July 22 – Cottage Grove Speedway in Cottage Grove, Ore. – Heat race: 7 (5); B Main: 5 (13); Feature: 17 (21).
July 23 – Cottage Grove Speedway in Cottage Grove, Ore. – Heat race: 1 (1); Feature: 19 (9).
SEASON STATS –
33 races, 31 features, 0 wins, 4 top fives, 14 top 10s, 18 top 15s, 29 top 20s
UP NEXT –
Saturday at Skagit Speedway in Alger, Wash.
FAVORITE NUMBER –
8: Cars passed in the B Main last Friday at the Cottage Grove Speedway in Cottage Grove, Ore., to earn a transfer to the ASCS National Tour feature.
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 – Starks Timber Processing
Starks Timber Processing is a logging business owned by Trey’s father, John, who is a third-generation logger. It has been based out of Washington for the last 15 years.
“Starks Timber Processing is what provides me the opportunity to race,” Trey said. “It has played a huge role in my life, both on the track and away from it.”
Starks would like to thank his sponsors, including Blue Dot Fabrications, Northwest Powder Coating & Sandblasting, Masco Petroleum and SpeedMart for their continued support.