PETERSEN MEDIA
– Most of the country saw highlights of Matt Mitchell’s violent crash at the Terre Haute Action Track on Wednesday night, and unfortunately it was a wreck that abruptly ended his stay in Indiana.
“It is part of racing (the wrecks), and fortunately I’m doing okay. I seem to be getting a little better each day,” Mitchell said.
The Yorba Linda, CA product was able to get in a couple nights of action, and he seemed to be getting acclimated to the Indiana clay.
Monday night, he made his second stop of his trip at the Kokomo Speedway, a make up event that was rained out last Saturday night.
Mitchell timed his JW Mitchell Motorsports/JM Mancha Realtors/WEC Electric machine in 10th fastest during qualifications.
Lining up in the second row of his heat, Mitchell was able to nurse his Sierra Springs Water/Christian Stover Foundation/A.R.T. No.37 to a fourth place finish on what was a motor that was starting to lay down.
Changing motors right after the heat race, Mitchell would make the call for the feature.
Early in the race, the USAC/CRA regular was running up in the top five as he sliced and diced with some of the top non-winged sprint car drivers in the country.
Over the last few laps Mitchell got shuffled back to the 11th spot, and would end up finishing in the same position.
“It was nice to time in well, and get through our heat,” Mitchell said. “We had a good car, and just faded right towards the end.”
Taking Tuesday night off, Mitchell was in action at the Terre Haute Action Track on Wednesday evening and again timed in well, as he was eighth fastest.
In heat race action things went down hill, as contact with an out of shape car out of turn four sent Mitchell’s No.37 machine in a series of violent flips down the front stretch.
“The racer in me is bummed about the wreck, because we were in a transfer spot and would have been on the pole for the feature event, but the non-racer in me is glad that I’m okay. It hurt, but I was able to walk way.”
Matt and his team would like to thank JW Mitchell Motorsports, JM Mancha Realtors, WEC Electric, Sierra Springs Water, The Christian Stover Foundation, ART Speed Equipment, Parker Performance Engines, MPD Racing, P1 Aero, and Hedman Hedders for their support during the 2012 season.
ON TAP: Matt will take some time off to rest and recover. Look for an announcement soon on his next race.