(Image Credit: Lonnie Wheatley)
Bryan Hulbert – PARK CITY, Kan. (April 3, 2018) Blake Hahn’s first NCRA victory is one he won’t soon forget as the Oklahoma shoe bagged the biggest payday of his career at the Park City Cup/Air Capital Shootout at 81-Speedway.
“This team needed a big win, and to get the Air Capital Shootout was a huge feather in our cap. The field of drivers we had to race with was about as tough as you can get. Out of the 49 drivers that were there, at least 30 of them had a chance to win that race,” stated Hahn who netted $13,000 for the victory.
Running through double Heat Races to make Friday’s A-Feature, with no chance at a B-Main, Hahn advanced fourth to second in his first Heat Race. Starting sixth in the second set of Heats, Blake stormed to the win. Lining up the feature straight up on the combined passing point totals, the Griffith Truck and Equipment No. 52 took the green from the fifth position.
“We were good all night on Friday. The track was slick in the Heats so you could move around, but once the feature went green, the track started taking rubber. I got to fourth and felt until I screwed up on a restart around Lap 10. Pittman came in and two-grooved me through one and two and that got me out of my rhythm. I tried to recover and just missed my mark in turn three so that let a couple more by me. After that, I just buckled down on the bottom for seventh. The way the track was, there was no way to pass unless the person in front of you messed up.”
Back under a normal Heat, B-Main, A-Main format for Saturday, Hahn charged from seventh win first in the fourth Heat Race to earn the pole of the A-Feature.
“The track was all but gone by the time my Heat came up so I threw the wing in the trunk and went for the Hail Mary. I hit the bottom and it stuck on the first lap then going into turn one the second time around, everyone was on the top so I drove it in as deep as I could to slide everyone and it worked.”
Leading every lap of the A-Feature, Hahn went unchallenged the entire race as the line put the filed around the infield tires.
“The whole race was who could get through the opening set of turns first. I had Johnny [Herrera] next to me on the start and I knew if I bobbled at all, he was going to get me so I just focused on making sure I didn’t give him the opportunity to beat me into turn one. Once I knew I had the lead, I just made sure I hit my marks and stayed out of trouble. All I could think about on the way home was all the success, my grandpa, Emmett had with NCRA and in Wichita. Adding my name to a track he won so many races at is really cool.”
Up next for Hahn is the Lucas Oil American Sprint Car Series presented by Sawblade.com at Tony Stewart presents the Vankor Texas Sprint Car Nationals at the Texas Motor Speedway Dirt Track on Friday, April 6 and Saturday, April 7. Both nights begin at 7:30 P.M. (CT).
The 2018 season is Blake Hahn’s 16th year of racing. Starting in Jr. Sprints at the Tulsa Shootout, Hahn has progressed through the ranks with over 90 victories across Micros, Midgets, and Sprint Cars. For continued updates on Blake Hahn Racing, along with his full 2018 lineup, log onto http://www.blakehahnracing.com.
2018 Season to Date:
Events: 9; Wins -1 ; Top 5 - 2; Top 10 - 7; Top 15 –7; Top 20 –7;
Up Next:
April 6, 2018 – Texas Motor Speedway with Lucas Oil ASCS
April 7, 2018 – Texas Motor Speedway with Lucas Oil ASCS
Blake Hahn Racing Online Store:
You can now purchase your Blake Hahn Racing apparel online at http://www.blakehahnracing.com/shopping/
How To Stalk Blake Hahn Online:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Blake-Hahn-Racing-139549836107030/?fref=ts
Website: http://www.blakehahnracing.com
Instagram: BHAHN52
The Sponsors:
Lucas Oil Products, Griffith Truck and Equipment, CSR Garage, Velocita, Parker Lee Project, 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, Pizza Express of Oklahoma, and EFH.