Hartlaub Compiling Impressive Season Stats, Rallies Late to Top 10 at Lincoln Speedway

Kody Hartlaub entered the month of August working hard to get back to the way things were early in the 2022 season.  The team was still having successful runs but seemed to be faced with doing it the hard way.  They had gone from competing for podium finishes to a string of nights where a top ten was a tall order.  

It’s said luck is when preparation meets opportunity.  Kody Hartlaub and his team were always prepared.  So, let’s just say they just needed better opportunities.

Three races were on the August calendar for Hartlaub and the Brewer Home Improvements / Moose Blocks / Smith Titanium / SRR Engines / Siegel Racing / T and N Solutions / Jason Emlet Iron Valley Real Estate / Bigham Appraisals / Pretzel Boy / HAAS Shocks / C.H. Folk & Son Feeds / Chop Designs / Herr Electric, Hartlaub Racing No.2 to get back to the front and compete for the wins they know they are capable of.

August 6:  Lincoln Speedway / Abbottstown, PA

     [29 cars, Heat 6th (6), B-main 2nd (4), A-main 11th (22)]

The first of Hartlaub’s three scheduled outings for the month fell victim to rain when Williams Grove Speedway’s August 5th event was cancelled.

The following night the team unloaded at Lincoln Speedway among a field of 29 cars prepared to compete in four 8-lap heat races to earn their spot in the main event.  The top five finishers in each transferred directly to the feature, with the top two being handicapped, while the rest of the field would get one last shot in the B-main to make the show.

Hartlaub’s pill draw for his heat race starting position wasn’t ideal.  He started outside the third row and steadily worked his way forward and into the runner up position when a caution appeared with two laps remaining.

Just after the restart, Hartlaub challenged the leader going into turn three, but the pair made light contact.  It was just enough to break the left front suspension on Hartlaub’s No.2.  He managed to get the car to the finish line but slid backward out of a handicap spot, and out of a transfer spot, to a 6th place finish. 

Relegated to the B-main after not transferring through his heat, Hartlaub started 4th and quickly navigated his way to the 2nd spot.  This time he appeared to play it smart and not push the issue for the win.  With nothing to gain, Hartlaub rode home as the runner-up and put himself in the A-main.

Hartlaub started 22nd in the 20-lap main event and quickly went to work, finding his way to 16th on the opening lap.  His push forward seemed to stall during the middle phase of the race, but in the final six laps he charged forward.  He picked up a spot every other lap and was knocking on the door of a top ten when he ran out of laps, putting him 11th in the official rundown.

August 20:  Lincoln Speedway / Abbottstown, PA

     [29 cars, Heat 9th (9), B-main 1st (7), A-main 8th (19)]

Two weeks later, Hartlaub was back at Lincoln Speedway for another shot.  This time it was a Summer Series event for the 358 sprint cars and once again 29 teams signed in.

Hartlaub’s pill draw set the tone early for what would be yet another night he would have to work for everything he would get.  He lined up 9th in the first of three 8-lap heat races.  As is often the case early in the evening, the track was fast and narrow, making it even more challenging to pass cars.  The East Berlin, PA driver settled for 9th and turned his attention to B-main preparation.

Slated to line up seventh, Hartlaub’s job was to secure one of the top six transfer spots.  A couple cars did not make the call.  When the green flag waived, Hartlaub began chipping his way toward the front.  He took over the lead with three circuits remaining in the 10-lap consolation race and went on to capture the win.

Hartlaub started 19th in the 25-lap Summer Series A-main.  He raced into 16th on the opening lap but by the halfway point had only reached 14th.  That’s when the car seemed to come to life, or maybe preparation met opportunity.

Over the final twelve laps, Hartlaub charged from 14th to 8th and claimed another top ten on the season.  

Reflecting on 2022 Thus Far

“I’m proud of my team.  We have faced some tough situations over the last month or two, but we haven’t given up.  We fight to make the most out of every single night, and I think the stats show we’ve accomplished that.“, Hartlaub commented.

He’s right.  While the recent stretch has been an uphill battle for Hartlaub and his team, it’s important to note what this team has accomplished in 2022.

Despite not reaching victory lane yet, Hartlaub’s statistics are impressive.  He has passed 77 cars in 12 feature events at Lincoln Speedway, including double-digit numbers on 5 of those nights.  He has passed 27 cars in 4 feature events at Williams Grove Speedway.  Add in a plus-3 at Path Valley in May and that’s 107 cars passed in 17 features.

Another notable stat is that Hartlaub has gained positions in 16 of 17 features.  In the lone event where he did not move forward, he started 7th, went to the rear early in the event after contact with another car, then passed 10 cars to finish 12th.  

Overall, Hartlaub has entered 17 events at three tracks, has compiled 13 top ten finishes and has yet to finish outside the top 15.

“My goal…our goal…hasn’t changed.  The goal is to win.  All of this has just made us want that even more.  We will win, and when we do it’ll feel really good to know we kept digging and we got there.“

Up Next

September will open with a Labor Day weekend double-header for Hartlaub.  The team will race on Friday, September 2nd at Williams Grove Speedway and Saturday, September 3rd at Lincoln Speedway.

The event at ‘The Grove’ is their 358 Match Race that was postponed from August.  The race offers up a lot of additional prize money for teams, plus fireworks for the fans.   

Season Stats

17 races, 0 wins, 7 top 5’s, 13 top 10’s, 17 top 15’s