Time Trials Hamper Hirst’s 2014 Roth Motorsports Debut

Driver & Team News
Kyle Hirst is pictured putting the famed Roth Enterprises No. 83jr through its paces at the Antioch Speedway earlier this year. The 25-year-old goes into the Reno Tahoe Fernley Speedway this weekend leading the points by nine-marker's over Chico's Jonathan Allard. Photo by Tim Holland.

 PETERSEN MEDIA

 Qualifying with the World of Outlaws is a huge part to their nightly program, and unfortunately for Kyle Hirst, his first weekend of action in his Roth Enterprises/HR Livestock Transportation/3H Cattle No. 83JR in the 2014 season saw the Sacramento, CA driver struggle in time trials, and ultimately struggle all weekend.

 

Kyle Hirst is pictured putting the famed Roth Enterprises No. 83jr through its paces at the Antioch Speedway earlier this year. The 25-year-old goes into the Reno Tahoe Fernley Speedway this weekend leading the points by nine-marker's over Chico's Jonathan Allard. Photo by Tim Holland.
 Photo by Tim Holland.

“I learned last year that qualifying poorly with the World of Outlaws was a game changer, and unfortunately, I struggled again all weekend in time-trials, and didn’t record the results this team is capable of,” Hirst said.

 

Timing in 22nd fastest on Friday night, Hirst advanced to sixth from his eight place starting spot in heat race action, and transferred to the feature event.

 

On an uncharacteristically narrow Thunderbowl Raceway, Hirst was able to slowly gain some ground in the non-stop 35-lap feature event.

 

Battling with Bryan Clauson, and Kraig Kinser late in the feature event, Hirst was able to escape with a 14th place finish.

 

Returning to Tulare on Saturday night, Hirst looked to redeem himself from a sluggish start on Friday night, and again he was a little off in time-trials, as he timed  his Mobil1/FK Rod Ends/Weld Wheels machine in 21st fastest.

 

A seventh place finish in his heat, forced the reigning King of the West to transfer from the Last Chance Showdown, and he did just that by way of his sixth place finish.

 

Starting 24th in the feature event, Hirst got a decent start as he searched around the Thunderbowl for grip, as he began his way forward.

 

On the 10th lap, Hirst looked to jump to the highside of the speedway, and as he moved up, he had not cleared Trey Starks, and made contact with him, sending both of them into the wall and ending their nights.

 

“I made a terrible judgment call and knocked myself out of the race,” Hirst said. “It was the farthest thing from intentional, and I feel bad. I have to thank Dennis, Teresa (Roth), and this entire Roth Motorsports team for bringing me back for another year. I am excited.”

 

Kyle and his Roth Motorsports team would like to thank Roth Enterprises, HR Livestock Transportation, 3H Cattle,  Mobil1, FK Rod Ends, Weld Wheels, Brown and Miller Racing Solutions, Kent Performance, Kaeding Performance, and Astro Titanium for their support in 2013.

 

2014 ROTH MOTORSPORTS BY THE NUMBERS: Starts-2, Wins-0, Top 5’s-0, Top 10’s-0

 

ON TAP: Hirst and his Roth Motorsports team will make their 2014 season debut in Tulare, CA this weekend against the World of Outlaws.

 

STAY CONNECTED: Stay connected to Kyle by following him on Twitter, @kylehirstracing, or by visiting www.rothmotorsports83.com.