Archive for category: 410

Tyler Ross has had good speed over the past month, and it has shown in his results.  This past weekend, he had to work a little harder at the end of the night to offset some early challenges.

BATTLING BACK

Friday night at Williams Grove, Ross put the blame on himself for a poor time trial result.

“I had a good car, but I made mistakes during qualifying that put us behind, then I didn’t get a good start in the heat, so that cost us too,” Ross shared.

Ross was able to put that behind him and make the most of the night, passing eight cars in the 25-lap main event to bring home a 13th-place finish in the Bush Auto Group, Fastrak Express Inc., Stateline Truck and Trailer, Stoltzfus Farm Service/Kubota ™️, Betts Garage No.5.

Saturday night, Ross headed to Lincoln Speedway, where he was coming off a heat race win and a top-five feature finish in his last outing, not to mention a runner-up finish the week before that.

The night didn’t get off to the start he was hoping for.  An incident with three laps to go in his heat race stalled any momentum Ross had going, relegating him to a 6th place finish and ultimately an 18th place starting spot deep in the A-main field.

For the second night in a row, Ross did everything he could to battle back and make the most of the night for his team.  He picked off 6 cars to finish 12th at the end of 30 laps.

DECISIONS

Ross has unloaded two different cars throughout the season, one black and one white.  Fans may be wondering why the Lincoln University, PA-based team has been switching.

While the black car has been in the team’s arsenal all season, the white car first hit the track just over a month ago.  The white car was new from top to bottom, including the engine, when it debuted.

“We’re switching mainly due to motor combinations.  The black car has just been really good at Lincoln, so we’re just going to continue to run that there.  We’re still fighting little gremlins with the new (white) car, but we’re working at it to get it as comfortable as the black car,” Ross explained.

STRETCH RUN

As is the case every year in Central Pennsylvania, there are a lot of big races coming up as the season enters its final months.  Thus far, Ross has raced the majority of his laps at Lincoln Speedway, also dabbling at Williams Grove and BAPS Motor Speedways.

“We’re probably going to hit Lincoln the rest of the year because they will mostly, if not all, be time trial shows.  We will also run all of the BAPS (Motor Speedway) races for sure,” Ross said.

“We’re going to continue to get to the (Williams) Grove when we can and possibly run the National Open.  We will make that decision closer to that time.  We plan to run the High Limit Racing shows at Bridgeport Motorsports Park (NJ) and Path Valley Speedway (PA), as well as the World of Outlaw show at New Egypt Speedway (NJ).  Obviously, things can change, but that’s what we’re thinking at the moment.”

RECENT RESULTS: (starting position in parentheses)

• Date/Location:  August 9, 2025 / Lincoln Speedway, Abbottstown, PA
  • Results:  Qualifying 8th, Heat 1st (1), A-main 5th (3)
• Date/Location:  August 15, 2025 / Williams Grove Speedway, Mechanicsburg, PA
  • Results:  Group Qualifying 6th, Heat 7th (6), A-main 13th (21)
• Date/Location:  August 16, 2025 / Lincoln Speedway, Abbottstown, PA
  • Results:  Heat 6th (6), A-main 12th (18)

Fans can follow Ross Racing on Facebook for the latest schedule updates and other news.

Tyler Ross stayed hot over the weekend, bagging two more top five finishes, including a runner-up run at Lincoln Speedway (PA), in the Bush Auto Group, Fastrak Express Inc., Stateline Truck and Trailer, Stoltzfus Farm Service/Kubota ™️, Betts Garage No.5.

CONSISTENCY IS KEY

Friday night at Williams Grove Speedway, Ross kicked the weekend off with a runner-up finish in his heat, which in turn provided a top-five starting spot for the 25-lap feature under the handicapping format.

After slipping back a spot early, the Lincoln University, PA driver rebounded to settle into 4th on lap five.  He briefly lost the spot with six laps remaining but again recovered to score the 4th place finish, his best of the season at the legendary Central Pennsylvania oval.

“Handicapping at the Grove helped put us in position to start near the front. We needed good, solid laps, and I think we achieved that. I needed to put myself in better positions on the track, and I think we would have had a shot at the podium,” Ross explained.

Ross kept the momentum going in the right direction Saturday night, leading off his night with an impressive drive from 6th to a win in his heat race.

“The track was slicker than normal for the heat race tonight (at Lincoln).  I was able to make my way to the front quickly.  I feel we’re good when the track gets slick early in the night, so that worked in our favor for sure,” Ross commented. 

Ross didn’t miss a beat in the A-main.  He worked his way to the lead on lap sixteen from the 6th starting spot, and held a firm but narrow grip on first for nearly ten laps until Freddie Rahmer wrestled the top spot away in lapped traffic with six laps remaining.

“We’re getting there.  I had a better car last night, but lapped traffic didn’t help me.  We will keep digging,” Ross commented.

Ross is definitely ‘getting there’.  He has five top-ten finishes in his last six races, including three top-fives.

RECENT RESULTS: (starting position in parentheses)

• Date/Location:  August 1, 2025 / Williams Grove Speedway, Mechanicsburg, PA
  • Results:  Heat 2nd (3), A-main 4th (5)
• Date/Location:  August 2, 2025 / Lincoln Speedway, Abbottstown, PA
  • Results:  Heat 1st (6), A-main 2nd (6)

Fans can follow Ross Racing on Facebook for the latest schedule updates and other news.

After the 2025 edition of Pennsylvania Speedweek wrapped up for Tyler Ross and team, the speed they found at the end of the series continued into the second half of the month. Running only a few more races to round out the month, Ross showed good speed and proof that what they were chasing with the new race car during Speedweek, was starting to come around.

For kinks still being worked out on the brand new car, the 5 team had a good end to the month of July. Picking back up at Williams Grove Speedway on July 18th, Tyler was able to add another top 10 finish to the 2025 resume, finishing in the 10th position. Not only was this a good result, it showed the team had found something at the Mechanicsburg ½ mile, as it was the first top 10 at Williams Grove all season.

The next night shifted over to the Lincoln Speedway. Again, Tyler and the 5 car showed speed and the ability to run up towards the front. With a strong 6th-3rd run in his heat, followed up by a 9th-5th run in the feature, Ross was happy with how the car was performing. “We’re still figuring out the new car and motor program, but we’re not far off at all.” This finish would mark Tyler’s 3rd top 5 finish of the season and his third top 10 in a row. Consistency was starting to find the Lincoln University driver, and his team. “The team is just working really hard to find speed and I see it paying off,” stated Ross. He went on to mention that “just racing more is always a big help.” This was his 25th race of the season and he seemed to be finding his stride and a little more confidence in his equipment.

A big test would come just a few days later, as the World of Outlaws came to the BAPS Motor Speedway. The beginning of the night went well for the team, as Tyler was able to post a strong qualifying effort and put himself on the pole of his heat. A slight miscalculation on the start of the heat dropped Ross back a row, as he got called for a jump. “That’s on me,” said Tyler, “I didn’t realize they moved the line further off turn four, and I went where we usually do.” Even with some adversity, he was able to secure a transfer spot in the heat and would roll off 19th in the feature. At the end of the 30-lap feature, Ross would end up 18th.

When asked about something that was brought up by a fellow competitor on the broadcast in regards to restarts, Ross was in agreement that there were some games being played. “I think the Outlaws could be a little more consistent with their jump calls throughout the night,” mentioned Ross. “Being in the mid-pack on restarts, it was pretty wild back there. I think it caught all us locals off on restarts because it’s not something we’re used to.” Many drivers were either making moves before the green came out and jumping rows, or losing spots due to being moved out of the way. “I told my guys, I felt like I passed 20 cars in the race and only improved one spot.”

All in all, still a successful night to be able to compete and show speed against some of the toughest competition in the country. “The whole pace of a race is different with those guys, and it doesn’t matter if you’re up front or in the back, you gotta go.” Even though the streak of top tens had come to an end, this did mark the first World of Outlaws show Ross had qualified for in 2025. A great improvement from previous efforts and proof that the car and driver had found something.

The team would take the weekend off and not compete at the Williams Grove Summer Nationals, due to a prior commitment for the driver. Future race plans are still to be determined, but wherever the 5 car unloads next, it seems that they will be in contention for good results and maybe even the checkered flag.

RECENT RESULTS: (starting position in parenthesis)

• Date/Location:  July 4, 2025 / Williams Grove Speedway, Mechanicsburg, PA
• Results:  Qualifying 11th, Heat 4th (4), A-main 10th (11)

• Date/Location:  June 28, 2025 / Lincoln Speedway, Abbottstown, PA
• Results:  Heat 3rd (6), A-main 5th (9th)

• Date/Location:  July 23, 2025 / BAPS Motor Speedway, York Haven, PA
• Event:  World of Outlaws Bricker’s Bash
• Results:  Group Qualifying 2nd, Heat 5th (1), A-main 18th (19)

While rolling a fresh car out of the trailer at the beginning of the year is a normality for most, some like Tyler Ross and the 5 team, choose to roll out a fresh piece for Speedweek. 

After having a strong couple of weeks leading up to PA Speedweek, confidence was high as Tyler’s last three starts resulted in top 10 finishes. The challenge of duplicating the current performance with a new car was something that the Lincoln University native showed the capability to do over the course of Speedweek, even with some up-and-down results.

To start out the team’s campaign, they ventured to the BAPS Motor Speedway. Having seen rain ruin the first two nights of the 10-day series, the driver and team were eager to get on track, and for good reason. 

“We took a brand new car and motor package to BAPS,” and speed showed immediately. After being quickest in warmups and 5th quickest in group time trials, Ross was able to qualify for the feature through his 2nd-place heat finish. Tyler would roll off 7th and finish just outside the top 10 in 11th, after running inside the top 10 for the first half of the race. 

“We missed the setup a little bit in the feature, but we knew where we missed it.” Even with a small setback in the feature, Ross didn’t seem too disappointed, stating that it was “understandable with having an all-new piece.”

The next night, the team headed to the Lincoln Speedway with the new car. However, Ross indicated that it might not have been the best move. 

“We as a team made a mistake by not taking the car we just ran second with (6/21 at Lincoln).” The new car was able to time in 11th and make a run into the transfer spot in the heat. Unfortunately, luck ran out halfway through the heat, when Ross and Jordan Thomas made contact down the front stretch, sending both cars spinning and nearly upside down. Luckily, minus a few fixable parts and the wing, the car was okay. 

“Having the wreck racing for a qualifying spot in the heat is what cost us our night.” Rolling off deep in the B Main, Ross was able to show speed, making moves and advancing up to 10th, but still falling short of making the show.

A few nights rest and regrouping, followed by the team returning to the Williams Grove Speedway on Friday, after Grandview rained out on Tuesday. 

“We went to see how the new car and motor ran again,” stated Tyler. With a similar qualifying effort to that of their last race, Ross would make a 6th to 6th run in the heat and showed dominating speed in the B Main, winning that event and transferring to the main event. Ross decided to start and run a few laps to feel out the car in feature action, but would pull in after seven laps, “just to save equipment.”

The 5 team would then attend the finale of PA Speedweek at the Path Valley Speedway. A stark outlier on the schedule, being one of the smallest tracks in the region. Even with it having been over 3 years since 410 sprint cars had raced at the Spring Run, PA track, it looked as though Ross never missed a beat. 

“We had good speed all night.” Tyler was able to time in 2nd quick in group B and made the redraw with a 4th place heat finish. Drawing the 3rd position, Ross would battle in the fast-paced feature and ultimately come home 8th. Garnering his eleventh top 10 finish of the year, but the driver felt it could have been better. 

“I just felt like I cost us a better finish as a driver, not putting myself in the right positions on the track and losing spots quickly in the race.” With such a fast pace and lap cars coming into play almost immediately, it certainly proved to be a tricky track to know where to be and when.

Wrapping up what felt like a short Speedweek with all the rain, Ross went on to mention that he and the team “have something to work with, even though the results might not be what we wanted, but we learned what we need to do better.” Having to battle with making the new car behave how he wanted and also manage the new bugs with it, Ross noted how the team’s Speedweek schedule worked in their favor. 

“We do Lincoln through Grandview, then take a few days off and regroup both with equipment and ourselves. Most, if not all of us on the team, still work during the week, so we don’t want to wear our guys out.”

Having a little extra time to work on the car and recharge helped the team to maintain speed throughout the week. And those recharges help as the team moves into the rest of the month of July, with some bigger shows coming up throughout the next few weeks and months. 

As of now, plans for the next few nights are to be determined, but the team can show up to whatever race may come, with confidence in their equipment and ability to make speed on a wide variety of tracks as they did during Speedweek.

RECENT RESULTS: (starting position in parenthesis)

• Date/Location:  June 28, 2025 / Lincoln Speedway, Abbottstown, PA
• Results:  Rain

• Date/Location:  June 29, 2025 / BAPS Motor Speedway, York Haven, PA
• Results:  Group Qualifying 5th, Heat 2nd (2), A-main 11th (7)

• Date/Location:  June 30, 2025 / Lincoln Speedway, Abbottstown, PA
• Results:  Group Qualifying 11th, Heat 10th (6), B-Main 10th (18)

• Date/Location:  July 1, 2025 / Grandview Speedway, Bechtelsville, PA
• Results:  Rain

• Date/Location:  July 4, 2025 / Williams Grove Speedway, Mechanicsburg, PA
• Results:  Group Qualifying 11th, Heat 6th (6), B-main 1st (1), A-main 24th DNF (21)

• Date/Location:  July 5, 2025 / Path Valley Speedway, Spring Run, PA
• Results:  Group Qualifying 2nd, Heat 4th (4), A-main 8th (3)