From Peterson Media
Rico Abreu’s second trip to Australia has not gotten off to the start he had hoped for as he as competed twice at the Sydney Speedway during the tracks five-race speedweek.
“We have had a good car both nights,” Abreu said. “Unfortunately I’ve made a few mistakes that kept us out of the feature one night, and got us in a wreck during the other.”
Getting underway on Wednesday night, Abreu started his sting off by timing in his Abreu Vineyards/ButlerBuilt/Outlaw Wings entry 12th quick on a very slicked off racing surface.
Starting fourth in the fourth heat, Abreu got off to a great start as he held his own in a transfer spot, while tip-toeing around the track. A mid race restart, ended up hurting the Rutherford, CA driver as he lost the handle, and ended up finishing ninth and having to run through the B main.
“The slick stuff has always been a little tricky for me, and Wednesday night had to of been one of the slickest tracks I’ve raced on,” he said. “I got a little out of shape on a restart, and it forced us into the B.”
Starting in the third spot in the B, Abreu ran in the fourth spot as he looked for a final shot at making the 30-lap feature event. A late restart saw contact between Abreu and a competitor, and he slipped back to the seventh spot, and failed to transfer.”
“It was frustrating not making the show, but it’s part of the learning curve,” he explained. “I should of handled business in the heat, but we didn’t. My guys gave me a great car, and hopefully we can get rolling a little better.
After a couple nights off and taking in some of Sydney, Abreu and his team were back in business on Saturday night for the 55th Annual New South Wales Title.
With 48 cars checked into the pit area, Abreu turned in a stout qualifying effort as he timed in with the eighth fastest lap.
Starting fifth in his heat, the youngster was able to work his way up to the third spot, and transfer into the 35-lap feature event.
Starting in eighth spot for the feature, Abreu quickly went to the top and planted his right-rear in the cushion as he worked up inside the top-five in just three laps.
On the fifth lap, he got up over the cushion and flipped into the turn three wall. He was able to restart, but pulled in after a few laps.
“It was a much better night, up until the feature,” he said. “We had a bunch of speed, I just got into the cushion to hard, and it took off.”
Rico and his team would like to thank Abreu Vineyards, Toyota, ButlerBuilt,, Outlaw Wings, and Petersen Media for their partnership.
ON TAP: Rico will now have a few days off to celebrate the new year, before returning to action on January, 1.
STAY CONNECTED: Stay updated with Rico by visiting his website at www.ricoabreuracing.com, ‘liking’ him on facebook at www.facebook.com/
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