Berkley, MA (May 4, 2009) Despite the best efforts of race teams and Seekonk Speedway (Seekonk, MA) officials, the opening event for the ARC Pro Stocks had to be postponed. A persistent rain began to fall on the second qualifying heat for the Speedway’s top division, forcing management to pull the plug on the first event of the 2009 campaign, rescheduling the 75-lap main it for this Saturday, May 9.
The #46 Mad Dog Motorsports Chevrolet did complete their qualifying effort, though. Jake finished the first Pro Stock heat race in the third position, behind veteran drivers Fred Astle, Jr. (Westport, MA) and Kenny Spencer (Taunton, MA). He started the qualifier on the outside of row two and wasted no time advancing position.
At the drop of the green flag, Jake immediately began working on the #07 Pro Stock of Kyle Casper (Somerset, MA). Just one lap after passing Casper, the lone yellow flag of the 12-lap qualifier was displayed. Restarting in the third position, Jake got as close as Kenny Spencer’s left rear tire, but could not complete the pass. He crossed under the checkers in the third position.
“We had a pretty good car,” Jake commented after the heat race. “As it went on, though, we started to tighten up. That is why I could not get by Spence, because the car was just too tight. It really did not want to turn as easily as I would have liked.”
By virtue of his third place heat finish, Jake has been informed by Seekonk Speedway officials that he will roll off fifth in the extra-distance 75-lap main event.
“I’m happy with where we are starting. Hopefully the weather won’t be as variable as it was today, because that really made the setup a challenge. Despite the weather, though, it was a good day. It was good to be back to competition,” Jake said following the Speedway’s decision to postpone the event.
The rescheduled race program will begin at 6:00pm this Saturday night, picking up at the point that the event was rained out – with five laps completed in the second Pro Stock heat race. That will complete the starting lineup for the 75-lap grind, which will take place after the other four weekly series’ feature events.