(Image Credit: Pat Grant)
SAPULPA, Okla. (August 10, 2016) The 26th Arnold Motor Supply 360 Knoxville Nationals presented by Great Southern Bank was a roller coaster ride for Blake Hahn, but it was one of improvement, as the weekend ended with a C-Feature finish in Hahn’s fourth appearance in the crown jewel event.
“Overall, it wasn’t a bad weekend considering we haven’t really been able to run that many laps at Knoxville this year,” said Hahn, who ended up 16th in the C-Feature on Saturday night.
Attempting to qualify on Friday, August 5, Hahn drew near the tail of the qualifying order, resulting in a time good enough for 35th quick.
“That really set the tone for the whole night. Qualifying is just so important at this event. The way the points shake out, those two laps are the most important, and by the time we made it out, the track was already worn out.”
Starting seventh in the fifth Heat Race, Hahn was able to advance one spot before the checkered flag fell. Putting the Lucas Oil No. 52 in the B-Feature, Hahn came up three spots shy of the transfer.
“We had good speed in the B-Main, just ran out of time starting 14th. The cautions helped a lot to allow us to move forward. I was bummed to miss the 'A' but the fact that we made it through our qualifying night without any mechanical failures this year was great,” commented Hahn.
With the points putting Hahn deep in the C-Feature on Saturday, the Oklahoma shoe was moving forward before going around in the third turn on the third lap.
“We were really moving forward until I spun. The bottom was working really well, and I just missed it a little and found the slick, so we had to go to the tail. At that point, we knew we were pretty much done, but we were still getting points for ASCS, so my goal was to just move forward after that and pick up as many spots as I could.”
Despite finishing shy of his goal of an A-Feature start on Saturday night, the weekend did see Hahn improve his best finish at the Marion County half-mile from the D-Main to the C-Main.
“It just takes laps at Knoxville. This place is tough weekly, much less during the Nationals so only getting to run there once this year, it shows when you come back for this event. I know we can do better, just off our runner-up a couple weeks ago at Jackson, I know this team has the ability to get the job done. Hopefully we can get the laps we need next year and just keep improving. I can't thank my team enough for all their hard work."
Tentatively, Hahn is slated to be in competition this weekend with the Lucas Oil ASCS Southern Outlaw Sprints at the Jackson Speedway, located just outside Jackson, Miss.
To keep up on everything happening with Blake Hahn Racing, fans can follow the Oklahoma racer at http://www.blakehahnracing.com.
Season to Date:
Events: 44; A-Features: 40; Wins 5; Top 5 - 16; Top 10 - 29; Top 15 – 35; Top 20 – 39
Blake Hahn Online:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Blake-Hahn-Racing-139549836107030/?fref=ts
Website: http://www.blakehahnracing.com
Instagram: BHAHN52
Sponsors:
Lucas Oil Products, CSR Garage, Speedway Vending, Semi Crazy Truck Wash, JR1, Wesmar, Triple X Race Co., Engler, Smiley’s Racing Products, Hoosier Tire Southwest, Penske Shocks, Maxwell Industries, Best Graphics, Schoenfeld, Rod End Supply, Griffith Truck and Equipment, Pizza Express of Oklahoma, and EFH.ss.