PC- Ron Gilson
Getting to another track for the first time to close out his 2018 Rookie season in a winged sprint car, Blake Carrick took to Arizona Speedway for the Copper Classic where he would record a ninth place finish on Friday night before a part failure Saturday ended his night early.
“It was a good weekend, and fun to get back in the winged car,” Blake Carrick said. “We had a lot of speed both nights, but we had some bad luck Saturday night running inside the Top-10.”
Carrick got his Copper Classic underway by timing the CVC/Cemex/Interstate Oil backed No. 69 machine in 11th fastest in time trials. Picking up a fourth place finish in his heat race, the youngster from Lincoln, CA would be forced into the ‘semi’.
Able to race his way to a win during the ‘B’, Carrick would make his way into the opening night feature event where he would take the green flag from the 12th starting position.
Despite it being his first visit to Arizona Speedway, Carrick would continue to run well on the new surface as he worked his way forward during the 30-lap feature event.
Getting into the Top-10 near the conclusion of the feature, Carrick would take the checkered flag in the ninth position.
Saturday night’s Copper Classic finale would see Carrick kick things off by timing in 18th fastest during qualifying time trials before tallying a fifth place finish during his heat race.
Lining up in the second row of the ‘B’, Carrick would hang on to a transfer position as his fourth place finish put him in the 22nd starting spot for the Copper Classic feature event.
From the back of the pack, Carrick came alive on the slicked off surface as he began working his way forward quickly. Despite being mired in traffic, Carrick was able to make some different lines work as he soon found himself near the Top-10.
Cracking the Top-10 in the race’s waning laps, an issue on the 25th lap would force Carrick into the pit area with his night coming to an end.
“It was fun coming forward like we did on Saturday night, but something in the steering gear went south and it ended our night,” Carrick added. “Thanks to everyone on our team for all they do for me.”
Blake Carrick would like to thank CVC, Cemex, Interstate Oil, Conti, Harris and Sloan, Emerald, Timberworks Construction for their continued support
ON TAP: Blake’s 2018 season is complete, but he will kick 2019 off at the Tulsa Shootout in Tulsa, OK January 1-5.
2018 BY THE NUMBERS: Starts-23, Wins-0, Top 5’s-0, Top 10’s-6
STAY CONNECTED: Stay up to speed with Blake Carrick by following him on Twitter @Blake_Carrick21 or @CarrickMotorsp1.
