Inside Line Promotions
HARTFORD, Mich. (June 7, 2016) – Johnny Herrera made the trip east worthwhile last Friday when he scored his second win of the season during the Lucas Oil ASCS National Tour’s debut at Hartford Speedway.
Herrera led all 25 laps and survived a late rally from Sam Hafertepe Jr. to pocket the victory and extend his lead in the championship standings. It also marked Herrera’s series-leading seventh top five in eight races this season.
“After raining out two we needed to win to make a little money,” he said. “Winning sure did help.”
With two other races in Indiana rained out last week the event in Michigan was the lone stop on a trip that took approximately 12 hours from Herrera’s shop in Oklahoma.
“We drew decent and luckily we got that heat race win,” he said.
Herrera’s charge from fourth to claim a heat race locked him into the feature redraw.
“Fortunately we drew the No. 2 rather than No. 6 or No. 8,” he said. “Josh Baughman started on the pole and I knew whoever could get to the corner first would probably win the race. We went down the straightway together. He hit a hole and bounced from one hole to another and I about got into him.”
The race took multiple attempts to get going, but when it did Herrera stayed in front.
“Fortunately we got the jump,” he said. “(Hafertepe Jr.) made several runs at me. Once we got rolling we seemed to hold our own. It was pretty much one lane around the bottom. He made a last corner charge. I blew the bottom and missed it. I hung myself in the middle. If I would have tried to go back down he’d go around the outside. I let it go across the top and I blocked his progress. He got into the back of me and it was a drag race to the finish line.”
Herrera’s narrow triumph gives the team plenty of momentum entering the 24th annual Sizzlin’ Summer Speedweek, which features six races in eight days beginning this Saturday at Route 66 Motor Speedway in Amarillo, Texas. It will be Herrera’s debut at the track.
“Winning the Speedweek would be great, but the big picture is the end of the year,” he said. “We just have to continue doing what we’re doing. So far everything has been working out and we’ve done the right thing.”
QUICK RESULTS –
June 3 – Hartford Speedway in Hartford, Mich. – Heat race: 1 (4); Feature: 1 (2).
SEASON STATS –
25 races, 2 wins, 11 top fives, 11 top 10s, 12 top 15s, 14 top 20s
UP NEXT –
Saturday at Route 66 Motor Speedway in Amarillo, Texas, for the start of the Lucas Oil ASCS National Tour Speedweek
MEDIA LINKS –
Website: http://www.JohnnyHerreraRacing.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/JohnnyHerrera2
APPAREL –
Herrera has t-shirts available for sale at his race trailer and at http://www.johnnyherreraracing.com/shopping.
SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT – Champion Brands
Champion Brands, LLC, is a globally recognized industry leader in specialty lubricants for more than 58 years. Champion also produces and blends more than 300 products including fuel, oil and engine additives and lubricants for the automotive, heavy truck, agricultural and specialty markets. For more information, visit http://www.ChampionBrands.com.
“I’ve been with Champion for several years and they have been one of my biggest supporters,” Herrera said. “They are great people to work with and their products are second to none.”
Herrera would also like to thank Morton Excavating, Competition Suspension Inc., Mesilla Valley Transportation, ButlerBuilt Professional Seat Systems, Ostrich Racing Engines, FK Rod Ends, Hoosier Racing Tire, Schoenfeld Headers, Maxim Chassis, Schroeder Torsion Bars, Simpson Race Products, Outlaw Wings, Weld Wheels, Finish Line Coatings, Semi-Crazy Truck Wash, Smiley’s Racing Products and Heidbreder Foundation Services for their continued support.
INSIDE LINE PROMOTIONS –
Inside Line Promotions specializes in affordable public relations and media management for motor sports drivers, teams, sponsors, tracks, series, events, organizations and manufacturers. ILP Founder Shawn Miller leverages professional journalism with new media technologies and social networking to improve your exposure and the return on investment for your sponsors.
To meet the media relations needs of your program by joining Team ILP, contact Shawn at 541-510-3663 or Shawn@InsideLinePromotions.com. For more information on Inside Line Promotions, visit http://www.InsideLinePromotions.com.
*PHOTO BY BRYAN HULBERT*