Inside Line Promotions
– LUBBOCK, Texas (Dec. 16, 2013) – There was a breaking point in the Graves Motorsports camp and driver Kolt Walker found it toward the end of last season.
After chasing a handling issue for most of the second half of the season, which was capped by a disappointing performance at the Short Track Nationals in Little Rock, Ark., Walker decided to make a big move.
“After Short Track when we came home I pretty much stripped the car down to nothing and put it back together,” he said. “Then we were a contender the last four races and that was with the ASCS National Tour.”
The season had started off strong, but at some point the team struggled to find the right balance. Walker said the harder the team tried, the worse it seemed to get.
“Midseason we were fighting a problem we couldn’t figure out,” he added. “I’d been fighting this and giving it another chance and another chance. In hot laps you’re quick time and then in the heat race you’d shoot off the track one lap and spin out the next. You’re scared to do something as a driver because you don’t know which way the car is going to go. I would say Short Track Nationals was the breaking point where I’d had enough. Everything I have product-wise has been proven so I didn’t give up on anything people-wise.”
Walker went back to his old notes and the team put the car back together with a new focus – go back to the basics.
“We went back to old school notes from four or five years ago and went back to basics,” he said. “I just went back and started over from our 2007-08 notes. We changed a bunch of things in our program and gave it a shot and it was very drivable and much better. We focused on the shocks, some stuff we changed in our chassis and we also changed some stuff in our front axle geometry. I don’t know which one it was, but it was definitely something.”
In the team’s first race after the Short Track Nationals, Walker drove the car to a podium finish in Lucas Oil ASCS National Tour action at El Paso Speedway Park in El Paso, Texas, and the team continued to build momentum in the final two weekends of the season.
“We went from the Short Track Nationals, which was the most embarrassing thing I’ve ever had, and the next week we’re almost winning the race,” he said. “With the things we found and success at the end of the season, we are really excited for next season.”
SEASON STATS –
42 races, 1 win, 7 top fives, 18 top 10s, 25 top 15s, 27 top 20s
MEDIA LINKS –
Website: http://www.KoltWalkerRacing.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Kolt.
SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT – FK Rod Ends
Over the years, the F.K. Bearings product line has grown to encompass many different industries. In the teams’ hands is the latest offering in an evolving program designed to supply rod end products to users everywhere. Teams will find rod ends and spherical bearings made from mild steel, chromemoly/alloy steel, aluminum and stainless. Special care is taken during every step of the manufacturing process to insure the highest quality products. For more information, visit http://www.FKRodEnds.com.
“Maria and everybody at FK Rod Ends has been a great support for the last few years,” Walker said. “We appreciate all of their help and for putting out a great product.”
Graves Motorsports would also like to thank A-Rock Materials, Advantage Homes, John and Stefanie Haley, Briley Trucking, Wilson Wrecker Service, Lubbock Wrecker Service, Two Hands Down Massage Therapies, Winters Performance Products, King Racing Products, BR Motorsports, Day Motorsports, Astro Titanium, Wilwood Brakes, ART Speed Equipment, Sparco, Shell Shock, Vortex Wings, ButlerBuilt Professional Seat Systems, KSE Racing Products, A-Line Auto Parts and Brown and Miller Racing Solutions for their continued support.