ABR Addressing Motor Issues, Looking for Qualifying Speed in 2024

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Tickets Are Now on Sale for the ABR 2024 Kickoff Party, Read Details Here

Mifflin, PA – November 22, 2023

by Addicted2Dirt PR & Media Mgmt

It’s that time of year again when race teams assess their program and begin preparations for the new season, making improvements and adjustments based on weak spots and lessons learned.  While Austin Berry Racing carries out those tasks, they are also preparing to celebrate with their fans and build excitement for the 2024 season.  

Before we look back at the 2023 season and hear from Austin about the team’s plans to address their biggest pain point, let’s take a look at everything you need to know about the upcoming party the team is putting together! 

PARTY TIME WITH THE FANS

To get everyone primed for the upcoming racing season, Austin Berry Racing will hold its 2024 Season Kickoff Party on January 27th at the Port Royal Speedway commercial building.

It will be the second consecutive year for the event.  The 2023 edition was a win-win for everyone.  The event was very popular with fans and successful for the race team as well.

“It’s always cool to take advantage of chances to meet fans and supporters!  It’s always a really good time and it gives fans a chance to talk to the race team and myself out of race mode.”, Berry said.  “Fans get to see the personalities that all the guys have and we get to know them.  We enjoy connecting with fans so they can stop by and say hi anytime during the season and they are a familiar face to us.“

The evening begins at 5pm with a dinner of BBQ chicken, seasoned potatoes, and Texas beans.

At 7pm Chris Woodward and Shindiggin’ will take the stage to deliver live music.  The band promises it’s “always a rockin’ country party” when they show up!

Throughout the evening there will be cash giveaway drawings, 50/50 drawings, raffle baskets, and other games.  There will be something for everyone.

Just 300 tickets will be sold for the dinner and music evening, with prices discounted to $25/person until December 31st, 2023.  During January, prices will increase to $30/person.  If availability remains, tickets will be $35 at the door.

Earlier in the day from 11am-3pm, ABR will host their 2nd Annual Cornhole Tournament in the same facility at Port Royal Speedway.  The tournament is limited to 40 teams, with preregistration required.  Registration is $40/team and payouts to the top four teams are guaranteed.  The winning team will take home $300, with 2nd through 4th receiving $160, $80, and $40 respectively.  Concessions will be available during the tournament.

To obtain tickets for the evening event or to preregister for the cornhole tournament, fans can call 717-994-8451 or message the team via Facebook.

Tickets for the evening dinner and music event are also available at AustinBerryRacing.com in the merchandise store.  Tickets purchased via the website will be held at will-call to be picked up the day of the event.

Anyone who is interested in donating a basket for the raffle can contact the team via any of the same methods listed for tickets and registration.  The team will promote your business or cause on social media in exchange for the donation.

ASSESSING 2023 AND ABR'S PATH

The 2023 season contained a few really shining moments for Austin Berry.  No, they didn’t find victory lane, but they kicked off the season with a top-ten finish, posted a runner-up finish at Selinsgrove in May after leading the most laps, and kicked off June with a top five at Port Royal and a podium in their first ever race at Clinton County during Appalachian Mountain Speedweek.

Statistically, the 2023 season was very similar to 2022 but that wasn’t the goal.  Berry and his team were looking to log more podium finishes, top fives, and top tens, and of course, hopefully get back to victory lane.

It was the similar statistics and the finishes in between those shining moments that made Berry feel he was underachieving and not making the progress he and the team expected of themselves.  

There was a recurring theme behind that feeling.  A closer look shows The Tire Mart Tire Pros of Harrisburg, Juniata Veterinary Clinic, Berry’s Siding & Seamless Gutter, SRI Performance / Stock Car Steel & Aluminum, VP Racing Fuels, JDS Racing, Locust Hill Custom Butcher Shop, Nathan Berry Beef Farm, Addicted2DirtPR.com, GO Lithium, Valvoline Pro-V Racing, Super Clean, Rocket Chassis, Austin Berry Racing No.86 raced really well but often couldn’t overcome early qualifying laps that didn’t put the team in an optimal position for the night.

This certainly isn’t a gloom-and-doom story though.  There are a lot of other positives to go with the shining moments we covered earlier.

The team logged more races than it ever had in the past and only missed qualifying for the main event twice all season.  Another positive note was only one DNQ was a mechanical issue, plus Berry’s average finish for the season was just outside the top ten.  

“I think that we have definitely gotten a lot more consistent. We no longer have flashes of brightness and then struggle to make the show the next weekend. With the exception of national touring series races, we are consistently qualifying for shows and making most of those through the heat races.“, Berry shared.

“We haven’t found the consistent speed early in the night to put ourselves in a starting position where we are capable of winning.  We only started on the front row twice this past season.”

“Our team has been on a steady progression since 2019.  I know it hasn’t come as quickly as any of us have wanted it to, especially me, but if we stay the of course and continue to work with our awesome partners, we will be fighting for multiple wins a season in the near future.“

TAKING A STEP BACK MENTALLY

After the season’s second engine failure sidelined his super late model program in late August, taking away three or four more potential starts, Berry decided to take a friend up on an offer to borrow a steel block engine and have a little fun racing with the limited late models.  

He took to the track three times in September, each at a different speedway, and logged finishes of 4th, 2nd, and 8th.

“Running the limited was probably one of the highlights of the year, to be honest, not only for me but also for the race team. It was just fun to put it bluntly!  We had absolutely zero expectations and we were going to just have fun and race.  It allowed all of us to open up our mindsets and kind of just let loose a little bit.“, a smiling Berry shared.

“I had no idea what to expect from the driver’s seat with the drop in horsepower and we didn’t really know where our setups needed to be either, so we just went and raced and I think it actually allowed us to learn more about our racecar and learn ways that we can be better when we go back super racing in 2024.“

2024 PREPARATIONS

It’s no secret the Achilles heel for Austin Berry Racing in recent years has been motors.  A team on a limited budget unfortunately can’t buy brand new, top-of-the-line powerplants.

“We tried to grow depth in our motor program in recent years, working to have two motors so we didn’t have to be sidelined when we had issues.  Late in 2023, we decided to shift from quantity to quality.  We bought a lightly used Cornett Racing Engine and ended up having a small issue with that, but in the long run, it will be much better for us.“, Berry explained.

The team also moved on from their engine builder of recent years and will work with local builder Barron’s Racing Engines for the coming season.

“Heading into 2024 we are prepping the Cornett, crossing all the T’s and dotting all the I’s.  We are going over everything, installing new fuel lines and other components on the car to make sure all of that is fresh.  We are also working with Randy at SRI Performance to upgrade our entire brake package.  Ours was getting worn out, so the time was right to improve that aspect too.“

Aside from those things, the offseason is full of the normal maintenance work.  The team will be making a trip to Rocket Chassis in West Virginia this winter to have the frame checked and fix up a couple of minor tweaks on the front end.

The team will officially close out 2023 by attending PRI, the Performance Racing Industry trade show in Indianapolis, Indiana December 7th-9th.  It’s a big part of preparing for the upcoming season.

“PRI is our best opportunity to maintain the relationships we have with our partners because everyone is in one place at the same time, unlike during racing season, we all have the time available to talk things over, share information, and make plans for the new season.“, Berry said.

“We also go to PRI to develop new relationships and partnerships.  There are a lot of educational seminars that help us build aspects of our program both on and off the track.  It’s a productive and fun few days for sure.“

Be sure to visit Austin Berry Racing’s YouTube Channel at YouTube.com/AustinBerry86 to watch all the great content they provide!


LIKE, COMMENT and SHARE the video, plus SUBSCRIBE so you are the first to know about new videos!

AUSTIN BERRY RACING

 

Website:  AustinBerryRacing.com

Bio & Media Info:  A2DPR.com/AustinBerry

Press Releases:  A2DPR.com/LatestNews

Facebook:  Facebook.com/AustinBerryRacing

Twitter:  Twitter.com/AustinBerryRacn

Shop:  AustinBerryRacing.com/Shopping

The Tire Mart Tire Pros of Harrisburg

Juniata Veterinary Clinic

Berry’s Siding & Seamless Gutter

SRI Performance / Stock Car Steel & Aluminum

VP Racing Fuels

JDS Racing

Locust Hill Custom Butcher Shop

Nathan Berry Beef Farm

Addicted2DirtPR.com

GO Lithium

Valvoline Pro-V Racing

Super Clean

Peterson Fluid Systems

Barnes Systems, Inc.

Quick Car

Kevin Nouse Designs

Sweet Manufacturing

BDR Racing Products

Beyea Headers

Swift Springs

Strange Oval

DMI – Diversified Machine, Inc.

Quarter Master

Hoosier Mid-Atlantic

Rocket Chassis

As always, thank you to all our sponsors and partners, including our silent partners who do everything they can to help but ask for nothing in return!  These are the businesses…the people…the families…that make what these we do possible. 

PLEASE take the time to browse this information and help our race team by giving your business to these great partners. 

Most importantly, tell them WHY you patronized them and thank them for being involved in racing!

PUBLIC RELATIONS

Addicted2Dirt PR and Media Management provides personal and powerful dirt motorsports public relations.  We are a central Pennsylvania based business with a love of and passion for dirt racing and the people who make the sport what it is.

We keep fans engaged with your story through our personalized press releases
We promote your marketing partners to give them the value they want for their investment
We increase driver & team visibility to reach more fans and potential marketing partners
We present the polished, professional image that marketing partners want representing them
We leverage our audience and business model to achieve all of the above

Visit our website, A2DPR.com, to learn more about us and follow along with the stories of our race teams!  

Follow A2D on Social Media!  We are @Addicted2DirtPR on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and TikTok!  Follow hashtag #TeamA2D!

And of course, don’t forget to subscribe to our YouTube Channel so you are always notified of our latest video features, recaps and stories for #TeamA2D! 

Contact us via Email at:  [email protected]

Kyle Reinhardt Showcased Abilities on and off the Track During Successful 2023 Season

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New Oxford, PA – November 17, 2023

by Addicted2Dirt PR & Media Mgmt

Photo Credit:  Derick Kriner Photography

Kyle Reinhardt approached the 2023 season as a rebuilding year.  With fewer resources at his disposal, than he had during the previous two seasons, the plan was to focus on Central Pennsylvania and other key events that made the most sense for his team.

His goals were to perform at the highest possible level on the track and work hard off the track to find partnerships that would allow him to expand his schedule.

Not only did he manage to check a lot of the boxes, including a couple that were unplanned, but he logged the best year of his 410 sprint car career thus far.

MAKING THE MOST OF WHAT YOU HAVE

Reinhardt came out of the gate strong in 2023, finishing tenth or better ten times in his first fifteen races.  After that strong start, he announced a new partnership with Coors Banquet beer, who came on board through Ace Distributing of PA.  

Competing with the High Limit Series, the World of Outlaws, and All Star Circuit of Champions, as well as across Pennsylvania and New Jersey, Reinhardt entered 47 events in his familiar Capitol Renegade, Coors Banquet Beer, Henry’s Wrecker Service No.91, winning twice and finishing in the top ten 22 times.

“It was exciting having Coors Banquet join our program this year.  We were able to make a few appearances for them, plus we had a few Coors Banquet beer showers.“, Reinhardt said with a smile, referring to his trips to victory lane that always included a Coors Banquet beer in hand when he climbed to the top of his wing to celebrate.

“I think we represented them well and I hope we are able to continue to grow the partnership.  This is a great relationship for the future of our team as we continue to gain more partners moving forward.  A company like Molson Coors getting involved in our sport is a positive for all of us.”

A GREAT FIT

In July, Reinhardt brought Chris Shuttlesworth on board as crew chief and turned his focus to driving.  The pair previously had success together when Shuttlesworth was a member of the John Westbrook 1W team that Reinhardt wheeled to a 360 sprint car title and several wins at Selinsgrove Speedway in 2019.

Shuttlesworth and Reinhardt reached victory lane twice in their 32 races together during the second half of the 2023 season.

“Having the right guy to make the calls is huge.  Most of the time it has just been me and I think I did well but it’s a lot to manage.  Chris and I work well together.  I’m glad to have him.  I trust him to make the calls and I can focus on my job behind the wheel.“, Reinhardt commented.

CREATING OPPORTUNITIES

Just twenty-four hours before a late-July High Limit Series race at Grandview Speedway in Pennsylvania that was delayed a day by weather, Reinhardt’s phone rang.  Bernie Stuebgen of Indy Race Parts was in need of someone to wheel his No.71 at Grandview and he tabbed the Neptune City, NJ native for the job.

Despite never having sat in the car before, Reinhardt turned in an 8th-place run against a stout field.  The result of the unexpected opportunity turned heads.

“Running well over the first few months of the season definitely led to opportunities.  I’ve driven for other people and I always appreciated those chances but this was definitely the first time I was called about a high-profile ride.  Bernie’s car is known across the country as a top-notch car and I really appreciated the opportunity he gave me.  We ran pretty well together too, especially considering it was only one night.“, Reinhardt said.

Days later, Bryan Grove called Reinhardt and asked him to wheel the Grove Racing No.45 on the All Star Circuit of Champions tour, beginning after the Knoxville Nationals in mid-August. 

Reinhardt accepted and took Shuttlesworth with him on the venture.  The team gelled quickly, competing 13 times over a span of just five and a half weeks, recording one victory and seven top-ten finishes.

“The Grove 45 team, Chris, and I worked really well together and the results showed.  We won a race and led a few others.  We could have won a couple more if things had shaken out a little differently, but that’s racing.“

ASSESSING IT ALL AND LOOKING AHEAD

When the books closed on the 2023 season, Reinhardt’s stats told an impressive story about a successful rebuilding year.

Reinhardt entered 61 total races, finishing in the top ten 30 times, which included 3 wins and 13 top fives.  A top-ten run in 49.2% of the races entered is a notable improvement over the 26.6% he achieved in 2022.

The sum of all that is a win on and off the track.  The rebuilding may have been accomplished but there is still plenty of building to be done.  Reinhardt continues to look for partnerships to help grow his rising team.

“I wish I could tell you our 2024 plans but right now we are waiting for schedules and other information like a lot of teams are.  Bryan (Grove) and I are talking too but we have to wait and see how things play out with the touring series and schedules before any of us can make a decision.  I would like to run a combination of High Limit and World of Outlaw events but we will have to wait and see.“, Reinhardt shared.

You can follow Reinhardt’s social media channels listed below or check Addicted2DirtPR.com for the latest news and updates about Kyle’s 2024 plans!

Sponsorship opportunities are available for the 2024 season.

Kyle can be contacted via [email protected].

PARTNER SPOTLIGHT

Capitol Custom Trailers & Coaches is your premier dealer for Renegade, inTech and Bravo.

We have something for any budget and any venue. Capitol has become the leader in new innovative ideas and changes to the Renegade brand.  Through our own experiences as Racers and Custom and Antique car collectors we have added many new designs to the product.

Our goal is to not only sell you the product that you want, but to see you through the entire ownership experience and then be there when you want to purchase your next.  For 80 years, our business success has endured by this same formula.

When you are considering all your purchase options how many others can truthfully say that and back it up with their actions?  Whether you are a Circle Track racer, Drag Racer, Road Racer, Custom or Antique Car Collector, Motorcycle Rider or a Luxury Motorcoach enthusiast, come in and visit to see for yourself what we are all about.  

You will not be disappointed!

View our online showroom at CapitolRenegade.com and join the Renegade Life! 

Kyle Reinhardt and Wayne Quackenbush of Capitol Renegade celebrate in victory lane at BAPS Motor Speedway on 6-1-2023 (Photo Credit: A2D PR)
Winner Kyle Reinhardt [C], runner-up Parker Price Miller [L] and 3rd place Tim Shaffer [R] on opening night of the All Star Circuit of Champions Jim & Joanne Ford Classic at Fremont Speedway [9-15-2023] (photo credit: Paul Arch)
Kyle Reinhardt was surrounded by a large contingent of family and friends in victory lane following his $15,000 victory in his home state of NJ at Bridgeport Motorsports Park on 10-28-2023 (photo credit: Jeremy Zarfos Photography)

ABOUT KYLE REINHARDT

Kyle Reinhardt is a professional winged sprint car driver based in New Oxford, PA.  Originally from Neptune City, NJ, Kyle has been racing since 1999 and has earned multiple victories at every level he has competed in.  Since turning professional in 2019, Reinhardt has compiled two track championships and seven victories, including an All Star Circuit of Champions win.

Learn more about Kyle Reinhardt and shop merch at: KyleReinhardt.com

Follow Kyle Reinhardt’s season at:  A2DPR.com/latest-news

Facebook:   Facebook.com/KyleReinhardtRacing

Twitter:  Twitter.com/KyleReinhardt21 

Instagram:  Instagram.com/KyleReinhardt21 

Broadcast coverage of World of Outlaw events and Williams Grove Speedway events is available at DirtVision.com

Broadcast coverage of High Limit Racing events, Port Royal Speedway events and select Lincoln Speedway events is available at FloRacing.com

Broadcast coverage of 410 sprint car events at BAPS Motor Speedway AND select PA Speedweek shows is available at SprintCarUnlimited.tv

THANKS TO OUR PARTNERS! 

The entire team would like to express their appreciation to all their partners for the support during the 2023 racing season!

Capitol Renegade

Capitol Custom Coaches & Trailers

Coors Banquet Beer

Henry’s Wrecker Service

Fibreworks Composites

Maxim Chassis

FK Rod Ends

Kelly Racing Fuel

Arai Americas

KSE Racing Products

InTech Trailers

Mettec

AL Driveline

DMI

Rider Racing Engines

HP Engines

Titan Wings

Simpson Race Products

As always, thank you to all our sponsors and partners, including our silent partners who do everything they can to help but ask for nothing in return!  These are the businesses…the people…the families…that make what these we do possible. 

PLEASE take the time to browse this information and help our race team by giving your business to these great partners. 

Most importantly, tell them WHY you patronized them and thank them for being involved in racing!

PUBLIC RELATIONS

Addicted2Dirt PR and Media Management provides personal and powerful dirt motorsports public relations.  We are a central Pennsylvania based business with a love of and passion for dirt racing and the people who make the sport what it is.

We keep fans engaged with your story through our personalized press releases
We promote your marketing partners to give them the value they want for their investment
We increase driver & team visibility to reach more fans and potential marketing partners
We present the polished, professional image that marketing partners want representing them
We leverage our audience and business model to achieve all of the above

Visit our website, A2DPR.com, to learn more about us and follow along with the stories of our race teams!  

Follow A2D on Social Media!  We are @Addicted2DirtPR on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and TikTok!  Follow hashtag #TeamA2D!

And of course, don’t forget to subscribe to our YouTube Channel so you are always notified of our latest video features, recaps and stories for #TeamA2D! 

Contact us via Email at:  [email protected]

Audition Aced: Justin Henderson Secures Kreitz Racing Ride for 2024 Racing Season

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Concord, NC – November 10, 2023

by Justin Snyder / Addicted2Dirt PR & Media Mgmt

Photo Credit:  Derick Kriner Photography

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Following a successful weekend at The Dirt Track at Charlotte that saw Justin Henderson put the Kreitz Racing No. 69k in the feature all three nights with the World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series, Henderson has been named the driver of the famed powder-blue Sprint Car for the 2024 racing season.

While a complete schedule will be ironed out over the offseason, the deal will see Henderson pilot the car for all events excluding Port Royal Speedway, where Logan Wagner will return to the car for 2024.

“I’ve been hoping and praying for an opportunity like this and when Donnie called me to say he was choosing me for 2024, I was extremely excited,” said Henderson. “I can’t speak with full certainty of what all races we’ll be doing next season, but it’s a great feeling knowing that this is taken care of, and I can focus on driving the car and winning races now.”

As a veteran driver, Henderson has been around the block regarding the Sprint Car scene. He’s raced around the country for some well-known car owners and won a lot of events. However, while his resume speaks for itself and his talent is undeniable, he’s very aware that opportunities like this don’t come along often for a 44-year-old that many would say is getting towards the end of his career.

While he’s cognizant of what’s at stake and where he is in terms of his career, Henderson is excited to tackle the challenge and is confident in his ability to win races in the car.

“When I even talked about getting in the car to close out the season, I really only expected a handful of shows and we’d move on,” he said. “When Donnie told me he wanted to ease my mind and tell me the ride was mine, I couldn’t be any more relieved.”

“There’s some extra pressure when you are in a car like this and frankly, I’m getting towards to time of my driving career where I’m starting to think about what’s next,” he added. “With the people and resources they have, I’ve got the golden ticket and if I can’t make this deal work, maybe it’s time for me to start doing something else.”

The team most recently finished where they started – 18th – in Saturday night’s World Finals finale and has one more event together on the slate for the 2023 racing season. They’ll head to BAPS Motor Speedway in York Haven, PA on Saturday, November 11th, to compete in the $25,000 to-win Les Stewart Showdown.

With his plans for 2024 taken care of and a few races under his belt in the No. 69k, Henderson is feeling confident about his chances of taking home the big check and hoagie that will greet the winner in victory lane.

“Not that I particularly needed it, but I’ve been feeding myself big doses of confidence since I got in this car and I think it’s time that we maybe eat something different.  I hear there is a hoagie on the line along with some money,” laughed Henderson. “I can go into this event without having to wonder if I’m still auditioning and hopefully, I can give Donnie, Davey, and all his partners the reassurance that they chose the right guy with a win here at BAPS.”

Henderson would like to thank Hinchman Racewear, Simpson Race Products, and all the Kreitz Racing partners on the car for their continued support!

Follow news about Justin Henderson at:   A2DPR.com/latest-news

You can also follow A2D on Social Media!   We are @Addicted2DirtPR on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Threads and TikTok!   Follow hashtag #TeamA2D!

Justin Henderson sails by the massive grandstand during Wednesday's qualifying at The Dirt Track's World Finals in Charlotte (photo credit: Derick Kriner Photography)

PUBLIC RELATIONS

Addicted2Dirt PR and Media Management provides personal and powerful dirt motorsports public relations.  We are a central Pennsylvania based business with a love of and passion for dirt racing and the people who make the sport what it is.

We keep fans engaged with your story through our personalized press releases
We promote your marketing partners to give them the value they want for their investment
We increase driver & team visibility to reach more fans and potential marketing partners
We present the polished, professional image that marketing partners want representing them
We leverage our audience and business model to achieve all of the above

Visit our website, A2DPR.com, to learn more about us and follow along with the stories of our race teams!  

Follow A2D on Social Media!  We are @Addicted2DirtPR on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Threads and TikTok!  Follow hashtag #TeamA2D!

And of course, don’t forget to subscribe to our YouTube Channel so you are always notified of our latest video features, recaps and stories for #TeamA2D! 

Contact us via Email at:  [email protected] 

Kody Hartlaub’s Successful 2023 Could Be a Turning Point in Young Career

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East Berlin, PA – November 7, 2023

by Addicted2Dirt PR & Media Mgmt

Photo Credit:  Derick Kriner Photography

Kody Hartlaub has been racing in Central PA for over 15 years but the path to where he is today has been anything but a steady climb.  The graph of his progression probably looks a lot like a jagged mountain range over those years.  

He had a lot of success in his early years in go-karts but then was in and out of the sport for a few years. He dabbled in 600 micro sprint racing, then 358 sprint cars.  In 2018 he logged nearly a full season in the 358’s, but then sat out the 2019 season and raced a sparse 2020 schedule.

Finally, in 2021, everything fell into place for the Littlestown, PA native to run a full season.  That season, Hartlaub captured his first 358 sprint car win at Lincoln Speedway.  Over the course of the 2022 and 2023 seasons, Hartlaub has continued to improve.  He got back to victory lane this season and he also launched his own 410 sprint car team.

The mountain range with it’s valleys of the past is now starting to look more like a steady climb.

Let’s take a closer look at the path Hartlaub has been on and where it might lead for the driver of the J Fuels, Brewer Home Improvements, Moose Blocks, Smith Titanium, SRR Engines, Siegel Racing, T&N Solutions, Inch & Co. Real Estate, Bigham Appraisals, Pretzel Boy, HAAS Shocks, Chop Designs, Herr Electric, Hartlaub’s Furniture, Kody Hartlaub Racing No.95.

REMARKABLE 358 PERFORMANCE

Hartlaub finished in the top ten in 87% of his 358 sprint car starts in 2023.  Fifteen of those twenty top-ten finishes were top-five finishes.  Three of those were wins.

Let that sink in.  Those stats were amassed despite handicapping systems, track conditions, and all the random on-track and mechanical issues that are part of the sport.

Those kinds of stats don’t happen by accident or luck.  They are a result of preparation, a commitment to continuous improvement of the smallest details, and the dedicated support of a group of people working together.

Hartlaub spoke a couple of seasons ago about working to build depth in his program, from equipment to knowledge.  The goal then was to just make sure his team could attend every race and compete, not needing to be sidelined due to a lack of resources.  The mindset was the only way to get better was to race, so all efforts were aimed at making sure he could make every possible lap.

Fast forward to 2023 and the results show Hartlaub has accomplished his initial goals.  There were incidents and challenges during the season but as a result of their established depth and experience, the team was able to qualify for and finish every race.  That’s the first step in winning races and championships.

“This is exactly what I set out to build.  A 358 sprint car team that could compete for wins every time out.  I extremely pleased with how our team was able to work together to accomplish that in just a few years.“, Hartlaub said.

“Honestly, the year was nearly perfect but I feel I fell short at Williams Grove.  I really wanted my first win there and I wanted the championship, but I’m not complaining.  I’m just my own worst critic.  I push myself pretty hard to be good at every aspect of this sport.“

“This is the year I needed in 358’s to prove to myself and my team that we are ready to go 410 racing.  Hopefully, I earned a little respect from others in the pit area before we make the move up.  It meant a lot to me when someone who has been in the sport a long time said to me late this season that nobody can doubt me when I transition.  That said, I know it won’t be easy and I don’t expect to have success right away at that level.“

358 SPRINT STATS:  23 races, 3 wins, 15 top 5’s, 20 top 10’s, 21 top 15’s

PRODUCTIVE 410 SEAT TIME

With the support of partner Brewers Home Improvements, Hartlaub purchased a new Eagle chassis last winter.  He also picked up a used 410 engine from Danny Dietrich.  His 2023 goal was simply to get some seat time and begin the learning process to eventually make the move to full-time 410 sprint car racing someday.

Hartlaub’s strategy for his limited 410 starts in 2023 was simply to make laps and learn, even voluntarily running at the back of the field if necessary to accomplish it.  

That’s exactly how the first couple outings in June played out but Hartlaub realized he was more comfortable in the car than he anticipated.  He started to compete and mix it up a little bit in July and logged a 14th-place finish at Williams Grove Speedway.

In his last two 410 races of the season in August, Hartlaub showed he was clearly accomplishing his goals for the season, and more.  He registered a runner-up finish at Lincoln Speedway and a 6th place at BAPS Motor Speedway.

“I’m glad we did what we did this year.  I definitely learned a lot.  We had some good runs and I feel like I was able to really make progress behind the wheel because we had a decent car.  Had the car been total junk, it would have been difficult for me to get good experience.  That’s a credit to my team and the people who support us.“, Hartlaub commented.

“Our 410 car was completely different than our 358 car, so that’s a big confidence boost to me and my team, knowing we didn’t just find something that worked on one car and stayed with it.  We figured out a completely different car and ran pretty well.“

410 SPRINT STATS:  6 races, 0 wins, 1 top 5’s, 2 top 10’s, 4 top 15’s

OUTLAW OPPORTUNITY

As the National Open approached at Williams Grove Speedway in late September, Hartlaub’s phone rang with an unexpected opportunity.  Bill Rose, a full-time member of the World of Outlaws series, was looking for someone to fill the seat of his No.6 while he healed from a late-summer accident.

Hartlaub accepted and the pair competed in the National Open.  Rose then extended the offer for the East Berlin, PA driver to wheel the car at the Port Royal Speedway Outlaw events as well.

“The opportunity to drive Bill’s (Rose) No.6 car was completely unexpected.  It was a great opportunity and I’m extremely grateful for it.“, Hartlaub commented.  “I built friendships and connections, and raced against the best of the best with the World of Outlaws at Williams Grove and Port Royal.“

“Our results weren’t great but I gained a ton of experience.  I had never turned laps at Port Royal but we weren’t terrible there.  I struggled a little in time trials but raced pretty well and passed cars.  I had never run on the fence at a place like that where you carry wing speed all the way around.  It’s a different feel to have that all the way around a half-mile and learn to trust that kind of grip in the corners.  You can run the bottom just as hard at the top there.  Understanding how to use that is key and I learned a lot in just a couple nights.“

Rose, based in Indiana, called Hartlaub because he received a suggestion from a friend in the sport that he give him a chance to fill the seat when he headed east for the final Pennsylvania swing of the season.  He trusted the tip and did just that.

“Kody is one of the best kids I have ever worked with.”, Rose said with no hesitation and a level of excitement in his voice.  “He’s a really good guy.  He’s polite, wants to learn, and is extremely appreciative of the opportunity.“

He wasn’t just complimentary of Hartlaub’s personality.

“That kid is going to be good.  He is going to be around for a while.”, Rose added.  “I told him he wasn’t in our best car.  We were trying to finish the year and save our new stuff for 2024.  We didn’t have much time together but he progressed quickly during those few nights.  We didn’t time well but Kody raced really well, especially on the final night at both tracks after we had some time to adjust things.  I wished we could have had our best stuff for him.  He would have been even better.“

“We worked really well with Kody’s entire team.  He has good guys.  They are all fun to be around and they get the job done.“

Rose had some advice for the East Berlin, PA driver.

“I told him not to stay in PA.  PA is a good area and yes he needs to race those tracks but I told him to get out and travel when he can.  Race other tracks and other competition.  That’s really important for the growth of a driver and the entire team.”, Rose shared.

“If I could get the right deal in place, I would put him in the car and hit the road.  Right now that’s just not our situation.  Maybe someday.“

The bottom line is this.  People are noticing Kody Hartlaub’s performance and abilities.  Does this mean more opportunities like this?  Maybe.  Sometimes things in sprint car racing happen fast and sometimes the wheels turn slowly.  Either way, Hartlaub is ready to do the work to be prepared, regardless of whether he’s holding the wheel of his own No.95 or the next steering wheel he is offered.

MAKING THE MOVE

In 2024, Kody Hartlaub will take his No.95 to the 410 sprint car ranks full-time.  This is what the East Berlin, PA driver has been working towards and he feels it is time.

“We won’t be starting over completely but 2024 will be about learning how to build a 410 sprint car program.  We know it’s a different animal than the 358 and we know it will take time to reach a consistently competitive level like we did with the 358 program.“, Hartlaub shared.

“I want our 410 team to be a versatile program.  I don’t want to just focus on one or two tracks or run for points.  My plan is to travel a little within the region and gain experience at a variety of tracks and against a variety of competitors.  I think that is the best way to develop as a driver and a team to eventually be competitive anywhere we unload.“

Hartlaub is waiting for 2024 schedules to be released by tracks and series, then the team will sit down and plan what fits their schedules and of course their resources.

TRIVIA QUESTION

The answer to last week’s trivia question is Kody Hartlaub scored 11 top-five 358 sprint car finishes in 2022!

We will have new trivia questions for you to learn more about Kody in 2024!

 

PARTNER SPOTLIGHT

J Fuels, a locally owned and operated business known as South Central PA’s Best Choice for Propane.  Founded in 2015 by owners Jimmy O’Brien Jr. and JR Facciola, strives to provide fuel to residential, commercial, and agricultural customers across south-central Pennsylvania. After initially only providing propane, they expanded in 2016 into the home heating oil and off road diesel business.

They pride themselves in their customer service and they promise to work with customers to help them understand all of their options to help save them money, not only now, but in the future as well.

J Fuels does it all:  Commercial Service and Residential Service.  Why people choose J Fuels?  They provide 24/7 emergency delivery, competitive pricing, and fast & friendly service.

J Fuels is committed to providing their customers with excellent customer service to earn their respect and loyalty, and to provide prompt service with a quality product at a competitive price. They pride themselves on honesty and integrity and they firmly believe that you will see the difference when you choose J Fuels.

They take pride in getting to know their customers as more than just a number on an invoice and they are striving to bring honesty and integrity back, one customer at a time. Their staff is a fully trained team of experts ready to meet your needs 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year and they are fully licensed, certified, and insured.

Call them today at 717-547-5427 for a free quote and get a free safety check when you sign up for automatic delivery service.

 

KODY HARTLAUB RACING

Follow Kody’s season at:   A2DPR.com/latest-news

Kody Hartlaub Racing on Facebook:   Facebook.com/KodyHartlaubRacing

Kody Hartlaub on Twitter:   Twitter.com/KodyHartlaub

Kody Hartlaub powers the Bill Rose Racing No.6 into turn three at Williams Grove Speedway during National Open weekend (photo credit: Jeremy Zarfos Photography)
Kody Hartlaub and crew in victory lane for the 3rd time in 2023 at Lincoln Speedway (photo credit: Garry Ferguson/WRT Speedwerx)

Broadcast coverage of select Lincoln Speedway events is available at FloRacing.com

Broadcast coverage of Williams Grove Speedway events is available at DirtVision.com

THANKS TO OUR PARTNERS! 

The entire team would like to express their appreciation to all their partners for the support during the 2023 racing season!
 

J Fuels

Brewer Home Improvements, LLC

MooseBlocks.com

Smith Titanium

SRR Engines

Siegel Racing

T and N Solutions

Inch & Co. Real Estate

Bigham Appraisal

Pretzel Boy

HAAS Shocks

Chop Designs

Herr Electric

Hartlaub’s Furniture, Inc.

SPECIAL THANKS

As always, thank you to all our sponsors and partners, including our silent partners who do everything they can to help but ask for nothing in return!  Below are the businesses…the people…the families…that make what these teams do possible.

 PLEASE take the time to browse this information and help the teams by giving your business to these partners. 

Most importantly, tell them WHY you patronized them and thank them for being involved in racing!

PUBLIC RELATIONS

Addicted2Dirt PR and Media Management provides personal and powerful dirt motorsports public relations.  We are a central Pennsylvania based business with a love of and passion for dirt racing and the people who make the sport what it is.

We keep fans engaged with your story through our personalized press releases
We promote your marketing partners to give them the value they want for their investment
We increase driver & team visibility to reach more fans and potential marketing partners
We present the polished, professional image that marketing partners want representing them
We leverage our audience and business model to achieve all of the above

Visit our website, A2DPR.com, to learn more about us and follow along with the stories of our race teams!  

Follow A2D on Social Media!  We are @Addicted2DirtPR on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and TikTok!  Follow hashtag #TeamA2D!

And of course, don’t forget to subscribe to our YouTube Channel so you are always notified of our latest video features, recaps and stories for #TeamA2D! 

Contact us via Email at:  [email protected]

Justin Henderson Kicks Off the Weekend with a Top Ten Finish at The Dirt Track at Charlotte

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Concord, NC – November 4, 2023

by Justin Snyder / Addicted2Dirt PR & Media Mgmt

Photo Credit:  Derick Kriner Photography

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Justin Henderson took the wheel of the Kreitz Racing No. 69k Sprint Car at The Dirt Track at Charlotte and delivered an encouraging performance, securing a top-ten finish to start off the weekend’s racing events.

After showing speed in time trial action on Wednesday,  in which he qualified eighth and fourth quickest in a pair of flight-A qualifiers, Henderson took to the track on Thursday with high confidence.

“I messed up a little in the first round of qualifying.  I left a little out there but made better laps in Friday’s session, so we feel good going into Thursday and Friday’s shows.  Tonight is an important points night for us.” Henderson said.

He finished where he started – fourth – in a heat race event and that earned him a 14th starting position for the feature event. Continuing to show speed and keeping the car clear of any incidents after falling back a few spots in the early going, Henderson rebounded in the A-main to finish in 14th.

Henderson, known for his skill and determination on the racetrack, wowed fans, and competitors alike with his precision and speed on Friday night. He lined up second in a heat race and finished there to secure a spot in the night’s Dash.

It took two attempts to get the heat race going because of a crash on the first green flag.  That seemed to benefit Henderson.

“Brian (Brown) got out on me a little on the first attempt to start the race, but I didn’t let that happen on the second attempt.” Henderson said.

He started third for the Dash and dropped back one spot to secure the fourth starting spot for the night’s A-main. Staying dedicated to the bottom of the Speedway for the first half of the feature event, Henderson struggled in lapped traffic before moving to the top of the track late. He ended up bringing home a tenth-place finish.

While the results will show that the team lost ground in the A-main, Henderson is encouraged by the speed they have shown all weekend and is looking forward to a Saturday night’s finale.  The team sits 10th overall in the 53-car field, so Henderson will line up third in a heat race and is in a good position to make the A-main.

Follow news about Justin Henderson at:   A2DPR.com/latest-news

You can also follow A2D on Social Media!   We are @Addicted2DirtPR on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Threads and TikTok!   Follow hashtag #TeamA2D!

PUBLIC RELATIONS

Addicted2Dirt PR and Media Management provides personal and powerful dirt motorsports public relations.  We are a central Pennsylvania based business with a love of and passion for dirt racing and the people who make the sport what it is.

We keep fans engaged with your story through our personalized press releases
We promote your marketing partners to give them the value they want for their investment
We increase driver & team visibility to reach more fans and potential marketing partners
We present the polished, professional image that marketing partners want representing them
We leverage our audience and business model to achieve all of the above

Visit our website, A2DPR.com, to learn more about us and follow along with the stories of our race teams!  

Follow A2D on Social Media!  We are @Addicted2DirtPR on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Threads and TikTok!  Follow hashtag #TeamA2D!

And of course, don’t forget to subscribe to our YouTube Channel so you are always notified of our latest video features, recaps and stories for #TeamA2D! 

Contact us via Email at:  [email protected]