PETERSEN MEDIA
Over the last six nights, Rico Abreu was competing with the California Civil War Series and the World of Outlaws aboard his Abreu Vineyards No.89 machine, and a fourth place finish on Wednesday highlighted his night.
Going up against some of the best 360ci drivers in the state of California, Rico Abreu and his Abreu Vineyards team returned to the track where the youngster won his first career sprint car race looking to pick up another one.
Qualifying seventh quickest, Abreu failed to get out of his heat race, and was forced into the B main event for a final attempt at qualifying for the feature. Scoring a second place, Abreu lined his Abreu Vineyards/Outlaw Wings backed entry up in the fourth row for the feature event.
Abreu was one of the only drivers that was able to make moves on what was a narrow one lane track.
Taking advantage of several restarts, Abreu could use a strong run on the cushion entering the corner, and dropping to the bottom on exit, Abreu was able to work up to the fourth spot at the finish.
Bolting his 410ci power-plant in for the World of Outlaws California Speedweek, Abreu seemed to struggle to get his car moving forward.
“We seemed to chase out car all week,” Abreu said. “I think towards the end of the week we found something that started working, so that was a good thing.”
Following a pair of preliminary nights at the 59th Annual Gold Cup Race of Champions, Abreu found himself 25th in points and starting ninth in the Last Chance Showdown.
The surface for the B was very tough, as nearly everyone started where the finished. Starting in the ninth spot, Abreu finished eighth and missed out on the feature event by just two spots.
“It was kind of a bummer how wet they had the track on Saturday at the Gold Cup,” Rico said. “It felt like we had a good car, but with everyone being so even on the heavy track it really didn’t allow us to make any moves.”
Heading to his home track, the Calistoga Speedway, on Sunday Night, Abreu’s night would be cut short as a rock got under his hood and caused issues with his ignition system.
Monday night the team closed out their hectic week at the Antioch Speedway in Antioch, CA in what was a very wild feature for the Californian.
Qualifying 20th quick, Abreu narrowly missed out on transferring to the feature directly out of the heat, and found himself starting in the fourth spot of the LCQ.
In what was an exciting race between him and Bud Kaeding, Abreu would finish second, and transferred to the feature where he started in the 19th spot.
Working both the low, and high-side of the speedway, Abreu slowly worked inside the top fifteen as he diced with Steve Kinser and Tommy Tarlton.
On a late restart, Abreu got up above the cushion in turns three and four, making contact with the wall, all but sending his machine upside down. Abreu was able to gather his machine up and drive off, but the red flew, and he was sent to the back.
Over the final handful of laps, Abreu was able to recover and salvage a 12th place finish.
“It was nice getting a week to work with Paul Silva and his guys,” he continued. “We learned some things and how to communicate a littler better, and I’m very excited to get out racing again.”
Rico and his team would like to thank Abreu Vineyards, Toyota, ButlerBuilt,, Outlaw Wings, and Petersen Media for their partnership.
ON TAP: Rico will be at the Petaluma Speedway on Saturday night as he battles against the California Civil War Series.
STAY CONNECTED: Stay updated with Rico by visiting his website at www.ricoabreuracing.com, ‘liking’ him on facebook at www.facebook.com/ricoabreuracing or following him on twitter @RicoAbreu.
VIDEO: Be sure to check out http://www.youtube.com/ricoabreuracing for video of Rico, as content is constantly being uploaded!