(Image Credit: Ben Thrasher) – 26 Promotions – Peoria, AZ – (March 9th, 2017) – Coming off a season that didn’t see him find Victory Lane for the first time in his career, Mason Keefer entered 2017 more focused and prepared than ever. The Camp Verde, AZ native made the trip south to Peoria’s Canyon Speedway Park for the opening round of the Power 600 Series Saturday night.
“The car felt amazing in hot laps,” said Keefer. “We only made a small adjustment on the car for the heat.”
Keefer drew the 1 pill earlier in the night, lining him up on the pole for Heat 1.
“I was a little too excited,” he said. “I entered turn 1 a little too hot and heavy and gave up the lead in turn 2.”
Keefer would regroup and finish the 8 lap Heat in 2nd. That result would line Keefer up on the pole for the Feature.
Keefer would lead the first 9 laps before falling back to 2nd.
“We got into lap traffic and had some contact with the 2nd place car,” he said. “It ended up stalling the motor for a second, but we only lost one position.”
Things went from bad to worse from there as more contact would knock off the air filter and the throttle would get stuck wide open. Keefer would find himself running in 3rd when a mid-race caution flew.
“On the restart, we were racing close behind second,” said Keefer. “Due to the throttle being stuck, we made contact and stalled the motor again, this time bringing out a caution.”
Keefer would restart at the tail end of the field but would work his way up to 6th by the end of the 20-lap event.
Keefer will look to improve upon his finish last weekend as the Power 600 Series goes wingless for the first time in 2017 this coming Saturday night at Canyon Speedway Park.
Results:
Heat: 1st -> 2nd
Feature: 1st -> 6th
Featured Partner: Kevin Keefer/ Kevin Keefer Racing
“I have to thank my entire family for everything they do for me,” said Keefer. “But, without my dad, I wouldn’t have a racing career. He works his butt off to get me to the track, he supports me and makes sure I have the best equipment possible.”
Article Credit: 26 Promotions