Archive for category: Late Models

Sunday night’s Frank Sagi Tribute race at Hagerstown Speedway in northern Maryland attracted a strong field of 43 super late models.  A shower hit the speedway less than two hours before racing was to begin, putting a little extra moisture into the surface.

Feathers turned in the 4th fastest lap in Group 2 qualifying, landing him outside row two to start his heat race.

On the start of the 8-lap race, Feathers took the 3rd spot, but he slid high off turn two slipped back to 4th at the line.  On the fast, locked down surface that was difficult to pass on, he went on to finish 4th in the Larry Royston’s Septic Services, Martins Pumping Service, McFarland Custom Painting & Wall Coverings, North River Farm, Leggett Engine Research, Feathers & Sons Roofing, Hot Rod Septic Treatment, Team Zero Race Cars, Shane McDowell Racing, Coffelt Graphics, Larry Royston Properties, Larry Royston Equipment, Fox Racing Shox, Bo Feathers Racing, Clem’s Garage, No.20.

After making some adjustments during the break, Feathers lined up 14th for the 30-lap main event and settled into a rhythm in the early going.  On lap eight he moved into the 12th spot and started to chip his way toward the top ten.

On lap twelve Feathers cracked the top ten and continued to methodically close on the front-runners.  With seven laps remaining, he wrestled the 7th spot away from Jeff Rine and set his sights on Jason Covert in 6th.  The laps ran out with Feathers in 7th.

“Man, the car was phenomenal tonight.  We needed to time a little better earlier tonight and we would have been right in the thick of it.“, Feathers said.  “It was a good late rally though.  The extra moisture probably worked against us.“

“This car is comfortable, and it responds to what we are doing.  We’ve only got a few races under our belt with it, but we are learning quickly.”

“I’m excited for the rest of our season; we just need to be smart about using the resources we have.  It would really help us compete in some of the bigger shows that are coming up if we could add another partner to the team.  Hopefully we will catch somebody’s eye.“, Feathers added.

Returning to Port Royal Speedway (where they have the most laps this year) was a good measuring stick to find out how good the new car would be, but the running of the feature event would be the true test.  There were other nights this season when Feathers was good early, only to see the tables turn completely at the end of the night.

Feathers started the 25-lap feature inside row three.  He held his ground in 5th for the first two circuits, then went to work aboard the Larry Royston’s Septic Services, Martins Pumping Service, McFarland Custom Painting & Wall Coverings, North River Farm, Leggett Engine Research, Feathers & Sons Roofing, Hot Rod Septic Treatment, Team Zero Race Cars, Shane McDowell Racing, Coffelt Graphics, Larry Royston Properties, Larry Royston Equipment, Fox Racing Shox, Bo Feathers Racing, Clem’s Garage, No.20.

On lap three, Feathers powered into the 2nd spot, advancing three spots in one lap.  His crosshairs were set on leader Bernheisel, and he began gradually closing the gap.  

As the race approached ten laps remaining, Feathers was clearly the faster car, using the low line to his advantage.  He was ready to pounce and claim the lead when the first caution of the event came out.

Following a Delaware Double File restart, Feathers once again took sole possession of the runner-up spot.  He remained on Bernheisel’s back bumper but wasn’t able to pull alongside.  The race ended with Feathers in 2nd.

“I didn’t need that caution but I’m pretty happy with how this Team Zero car raced for us tonight.  I was pretty sure I hadn’t forgotten how to drive.“, a noticeably more relaxed Feathers grinned, referring to the rough season he has battled through so far.

“That might be the best car I’ve ever had here.

That’s a big statement from someone who has won multiple races at ‘The Speed Palace’.  

“I want to give a big shout-out and thank you to Shane McDowell for all the support he has given us with this car.  We bought this car from him, and he has been great to work with.  We have a good piece here.  We can build on this.“, Feathers added.

“Hopefully this is the turning point for us, and we can put a solid second half of the season together.“

Feathers was slightly in disguise in the field of 25 cars that took to Winchester Speedway Saturday night for the Spence Memorial.  That’s because the Winchester native’s super late model was sporting a tribute scheme to honor his great uncle, including the No.91 Spence made famous.

The night started off a bit average for Feathers.  He timed 10th quick overall, then started and finished 3rd in his heat race.  It wasn’t flashy but he was locked into a top ten starting spot and with the main event scheduled for 51 laps, there would be plenty of time to go to the front.

Feathers took the green from outside row five.  After a dozen laps, he was still mired in 10th, treading water so to speak.  

During the middle section of the feature, Feathers made his way into 8th and held that spot for fifteen laps before beginning to gain ground again.  On lap 34, he cracked the top five, then briefly took 4th with fifteen laps remaining before dropping to 5th again.

As the race drew to a close, Feathers got one more shot at Kenny Moreland and wrestled the 4th spot away with three laps to go.  He held on there for the checkered flag.

“It was a good night but my car probably wasn’t as good as where we finished.  We got better as the night went but I think our tire choice, managing my stuff for a longer race and just giving the car what it wanted helped me move forward late in the race.“, Feathers said.  

“We have made some progress but we still aren’t where we need to be.  Good or bad, I put a lot of pressure on myself to perform.  Like most teams, we need to run well to pay our bills.”