PETERSEN MEDIA
Andy Gregg was a very busy man during the 2013 Gold Cup Race of Champions, as he was in action for all four night’s of racing, including the non-wing event, as he scored a second place finish with the Civil War Series, a seventh place finish with the USAC Western Classic Series, and a 20th place finish with the World of Outlaws during the Gold Cup Finale.
“It was a busy but fun week,” Gregg said. “My guys did a great job, and we had some good showing in my opinion.”
Kicking off on Wednesday night, Gregg was aboard Scott Russell’s No. 14r machine taking on the Civil War Series.
Timing his machine in 10th quickest, Gregg went on to score a fourth place finish in heat race action, transferring him to the feature event, where he lined up in the fifth position.
On an extremely slick, and racy track, Gregg ran the top of the speedway to near perfection, as he battled tooth-and-nail with the lead pack of cars.
Battling with the likes of Justyn Cox and Kyle Hirst, Gregg ran in the fourth spot as they chased after early leader, Justin Sanders.
Getting into the third spot, Gregg chased after Hirst, and got into second, as Sanders battled a flat right-rear tire.
With a three lap shoot-out to get Hirst, Gregg hung on a scored a second place finish.
Thursday, Gregg and the Russell team decided to shed the wings off the 14R, and take on the USAC Western Classic Series, Gregg’s first non-wing start since 2004.
Though early in practice it was apparent he had some rust, Gregg made adjustments for time-trials, and ripped off the seventh fastest lap during time-trials.
Heat race action saw Gregg slip back to the sixth spot, but he was able to transfer from the B, and started the feature in the seventh position.
Battling with Kyle Hirst most of the night, Gregg ran comfortably in the top-five until the last few laps, when contact sent him sliding through the infield, but he was able to save it, and salvage a seventh place finish.
Hopping into his GUTS Racing/Coors Light/LivFast No.53 for the World of Outlaw portion of the event, Gregg had his sturggles on Friday night, as his night came to an end in the C, but he came back on Saturday night and turned in a much better performance.
Timing in 25th fastest against the 54 cars checked into the event, Gregg tallied a fifth place finish in heat race action putting him in the B main, where he scored a third place finish, and made the Gold Cup feature event.
Starting 24th in the feature event, Gregg was able to score a 20th place finish. Though it wasn’t a top finish, Gregg was pleased with it compared to Friday night.
“Overall it was a really fun Gold Cup,” Gregg said. “We ran a winged 360, a non-winged 360, and a winged 410 against the World of Outlaws. Though we didn’t have the finishes we would have liked with the Outlaws, I think we learned each time we were on the track, and sometimes that is better than strong finishes.”
Andy would like to thank Coors Light, LivFast Clothing Co., GUTS Racing, Meyers and Son Drywall, Ervin Sales Group, K&N Products, FK Rod Ends, Eagle Motorsports, King Racing Products, BR Motorsports, Hinchman, Brown and Miller Racing Solutions, and 103.5 The Blaze for their support in 2013.
2013 BY THE NUMBERS: Races-42, Wins-7, Top 5’s-22, Top 10’s-27
ON TAP: Gregg will be back in action on Saturday night September 21st, 2013 at the Placerville Speedway.
STAY CONNECTED: Stay up to speed with Andy by following him on twitter @andygregg16x.