Inside Line Promotions
– LAS CRUCES, N.M. (Nov. 14) – Seth Bergman was more than happy to load up and leave New Mexico.
In his only two races this season in the “Land of Enchantment” state, the Snohomish, Wash., native endured one of the roughest weekends of the season. Bergman finished 20th and 22nd at Southern New Mexico Speedway in Las Cruces, N.M., last weekend with the ASCS National Tour.
“Not the weekend I wanted at all,” he said. “We’ve been doing really good lately and running up front, so I had high expectations coming into the weekend.”
He started third in a loaded heat race on Friday, but a poor start shuffled him toward the back. However, two cars in front of Bergman slid off the track early in the race. He capitalized and was up to third before the caution waved for a separate incident. A lap hadn’t been completed so Bergman was forced to restart sixth.
“That really hurt me in points,” he said after finishing sixth.
That started him 10th in a 15-lap B Main and after he placed ninth, Bergman had to use a provisional to start last – 24th – in the main event. He ended up with a 20th-place finish on the hooked-up track.
“I just wasn’t very good in the feature,” he said. “The first night wasn’t good. We were having trouble getting the motor to run all night. It was my fault. I had the wrong set of headers that I shouldn’t have on it.
“We got the race car running a lot better for the second night. We were really good in the heat.”
Bergman charged from fourth to second and nearly picked up the victory in his heat race on Saturday. He earned enough points to start 13th in the 30-lap main event. However, after the track was reworked, the drivers hot lapped to make sure it was safe. Bergman’s left front tire went flat and he was forced to the pits.
The crew swapped the tire and he returned before the start, but had to start at the back because he stopped. He was then mired in one of his worst races ever.
“I couldn’t really get going,” he said. “I think it’s the first time I’ve brought out the two-caution rule. I felt pretty stupid about how I was driving and how the night ended up.”
Bergman was forced to the pits early after a pair of spins in turn four and he was credited with a 22nd-place finish.
He is eighth in the ASCS National Tour standings.
Bergman will end this season on Thursday and Saturday at USA Raceway in Tucson, Ariz., with the ASCS National Tour for the 44th annual Western World Championships.
“I’d like to win,” he said. “The way we’ve been running lately, if you don’t look at this past weekend, we’ve had a shot to win everywhere we’ve been. The main thing is to get locked in on Thursday and give yourself a chance for Saturday.”
For live updates of Bergman and this weekend’s competition, check out www.insidelinepromotions.com.
QUICK RESULTS –
Nov. 11 – Southern New Mexico Speedway in Las Cruces, N.M. – Heat race: 6 (3); B Main: 9 (10); Feature: 20 (24).
Nov. 12 – Southern New Mexico Speedway in Las Cruces, N.M. – Heat race: 2 (4); Feature: 22 (24).
SEASON STATS –
55 races, 51 features, 4 wins, 20 top fives, 29 top 10s, 33 top 15s, 44 top 20s
UP NEXT –
Thursday and Saturday at USA Raceway in Tucson, Ariz., with the ASCS National Tour for the 44th annual Western World Championships
FAVORITE NUMBER –
10.5: Average feature finish in two races this season at USA Raceway in Tucson, Ariz.
SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS –
Website: www.sethbergman.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/BergmanRacing
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Seth-Bergman-Racing/155383751177655
ON THE AIR –
Bergman was on the Lucas Oil ASCS Show by RacinBoys on Oct. 4 after picking up an ASCS Sooner Region victory at Creek County Speedway in Sapulpa, Okla., on Oct. 1. His interview begins around the 18:20 mark.
http://www.meridix.com/mbp/general/index.php?liveid=Racinboys&recordid=21631
He was also on the Lucas Oil ASCS Show on April 12 after a win at I-80 Speedway in Greenwood, Neb., on April 8. His segment starts at 52:20.
http://www.meridix.com/mbp/general/index.php?liveid=Racinboys&recordid=18548
SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT – Corridor Electric
Corridor Electric is a full-service electrical contractor out of Snohomish, Wash. With a specialty in electricity, Corridor Electric was established in 1999 by Seth’s parents – Steve and Terri Bergman. For more information, visit www.corridorelectricinc.com.
“I’ve driven for my mom and dad every since I started my racing,” Seth said. “They put me in sprint cars and continue to help me. I wouldn’t have the opportunities I do now if it wasn’t for them.”
Bergman would like to thank his sponsors, including Superior Marine, SpeedMart, The Oil Medics, APG Fuel Bladders, Eagle Motorsports and Wesmar Racing Engines for their continued support.