Three years had elapsed since Kyle Reinhardt’s last, and only, attempt at the World Finals at The Dirt Track at Charlotte. That trip in 2018 was full of challenges. Engine issues on qualifying night put the Capitol Renegade team behind the eight ball from the start. Combine that with the lack of a notebook to turn to for the track, and you get what’s politely called ‘a learning opportunity’.
When the team returned to take part in the 2021 edition of The World Finals, they had a lot more experience in their pocket than they did three years earlier. Not only did they have a couple Central PA victories on their resume, but they had also just completed their first season on the road with the All Star Circuit of Champions, which included their first ASCoC series win.
11/4: World Finals Night 1, The Dirt Track at Charlotte – Concord, NC
Persistent rain Thursday forced officials to cancel qualifying night and alter the order of events on Friday and Saturday night to include time trials.
With nearly twice as many cars pit-side as the A-main lineup would hold, and a quality field at that, it would be no easy task to make the World of Outlaw sanctioned main event either night.
11/5: World Finals Night 2, The Dirt Track at Charlotte – Concord, NC
(46 cars, Qualifying 8th in Flight 2, Heat 3rd, A-main 14th)
Friday’s 46 car field was split into two flights for time trials. Late that afternoon, Kyle Reinhardt rolled the Capitol Renegade, Champion Hi-Tech Lubricants, Henry’s Wrecker Service No.91 onto the clay at The Dirt Track as the first car in Flight 2 for qualifying. He laid down a solid lap that placed him 8th in the group and handed him the 4th starting spot in heat number four.
The top five finishers were slated to transfer to the A-main from each 8-lap heat race, but each spot closer to the front held increasing value because it meant four spots better in the starting lineup for the night’s finale . Reinhardt charged into 3rd on the opening lap and held onto it to the checkered flag, putting himself and the Capitol Renegade team into their first World Finals A-main.
Reinhardt lined up 12th for the 30-lap main event and survived numerous battles to hold on to a mid-pack spot, eventually bringing it home in 14th.
“Our trip here a few years ago was frustrating. We had issues from the time we unloaded. We probably should have loaded up and gone home after the first night that year, but we battled through it and learned everything we could. I think that effort paid off tonight“, Reinhardt commented.
11/6: World Finals Night 3, The Dirt Track at Charlotte – Concord, NC
(43 cars, Qualifying 20th in Flight 2, Heat 4th, A-main 20th)
Saturday’s World of Outlaws season and World Finals finale was moved up to an early afternoon start due to a deteriorating nighttime forecast in the Charlotte region. 43 teams returned to compete.
Once again, per the Outlaw format, the field was divided into two flights by random draw for qualifying under the clock. Kyle Reinhardt found himself in flight two again, but this time a little deeper in the order. He hit the track 14th in the flight and had good speed once again, however a minor issue cost him a few tenths on the clock and left him 20th in the standings when the dust settled.
The team quickly went to work resolving the issue and had Reinhardt ready to go to work from the 10th starting spot in the 4th heat. With the top five transferring to the A-main again, and the remainder of the field being relegated to the B-main to compete for the final four spots in the main event, the Neptune City, NJ native had his work cut out for him.
Reinhardt and his J&J Auto Racing No.91 were up to the challenge. He charged into 6th on the opening lap using the high side and continued to press forward, claiming the 4th spot by lap three. Kyle would hold on to that spot, completing an impressive recovery from a disappointing qualifying time and putting himself and his Capitol Renegade team into their second consecutive World Finals A-main through a heat race.
“We were good both nights. We had a minor issue in qualifying Saturday that put us at the back of our heat race, but we were able to correct it and show our speed by going 10th to 4th and putting ourselves in the show. We went backwards in the feature unfortunately, but we figured out why. We’ll put it in the notebook, learn from it and be even better next time“, Reinhardt concluded.
The 2021 World Finals experience was quite different than 2018 for Reinhardt. The results are a good indication of how far this team has come over the last few seasons. As they continue to build their notebook and put the right pieces in place, they are poised to be a consistent front-runner wherever they go.
Up Next
Reinhardt and the Capitol Renegade team will close out the 2021 season back home in PA at BAPS Motor Speedway on Saturday, November 13th. The Capitol Renegade Sprint Showdown presented by FK Rod Ends features the 410 Sprint Cars ($5,000 to win), 358 Modifieds ($4,000 to win), and two Enduro races (each $1,000 to win). Racing begins at 3:00 PM.
Thanks to Our Partners!
RQM Enterprises would like to express their appreciation to all of their partners for the continued support! Thanks to Capitol Renegade, Capitol Custom Coaches & Trailers, Champion Brands, Fibreworks Composites, Henry’s Wrecker Service, J&J Auto Racing, FK Rod Ends, Kinsler Fuel Injection, Brown & Miller Racing Solutions, Kelly Racing Fuel, B.C. Walter Trucking, Arai Americas, Auto Meter, KSE Racing Products, InTech Trailers, Fel-Pro, Taylor Ignition Wires, Miller Welders, K&N Filters, Mettec, AL Driveline, Jesel Valvetrain, DMI, All-Pro Aluminum Cylinder Heads, ISC Racers Tape, HMS Motorsports, Ultra Lite Brakes & Components, Rider Racing Engines, Saldana Racing Products and HP Engines for their support during the 2021 racing season.
