(Image Credit: Ben Thrasher)
26 Promotions – Peoria, AZ – (April 17th, 2017) – Dale Eliason Jr entered Canyon Speedway Park’s two-day Easter Eggstravaganza looking to bounce back from a 16th place finish two weeks ago.
Racing got underway Friday night with Heat races where Eliason Jr would start 4th. He’d use the Heat race to get re-acclimated to having the wings on the car.
“It’s been a while since we’ve raced with the wings,” Eliason Jr explained. “I needed to trust my wing, so I drove it in deep on the last lap to remember what it felt like.”
Finishing 4th in the Heat lined Eliason Jr up 11th for the 20-lap Feature.
Eliason Jr quickly broke into the top 10, working his way up to 8th in the opening laps. Eliason Jr would settle into 8th, with 2 laps to go Jr made the move into 7th.
“I had to go on the outside to pass a lap car,” he said. “That gave me a launch out of the corner, I came back down in turn 3 to take the position.”
Knowing that he had another opportunity the next day, Jr decided not to force the issue on the final lap bringing home a 7th place finish.
Eliason Jr entered night 2 with more confidence. Starting 2nd in Heat 2, Eliason Jr knew what he had to do to take the lead.
“I knew where to run,” he said. “I drove the car in deep on the start, went under the leader and took the lead.”
Winning Heat 2 earned Eliason Jr enough passing points to make him the night’s top qualifier, placing him 6th in the lineup for the 25-lap Feature.
The Iceman spent most of the race battling for 5th, but couldn’t find a way to successfully complete the pass.
“I tried everything I could without spinning him out,” he explained.
Eliason Jr would eventually grab the 5th spot on the final lap as a car in front of him slid up the track entering turn 3, ending the weekend with his third Top 5 of the year.
“Overall it was a great learning experience,” he said.
Eliason Jr’s next event is currently scheduled for May 20th back at Canyon Speedway Park, but make sure to follow his Facebook account and check his website for possible schedule updates.
Dale Eliason Jr would like to thank Affordable Powder Coating, Copper State Bolt & Nut, DOLCRX, Guhl Motors, HJ Tile, Industrial Machinery Services, PMP Chassis, Seros Racing Engines and T & K Repair for their continued support.
Friday Results:
Heat: 4th -> 4th
Feature: 11th -> 7th
Saturday Results:
Heat: 2nd -> 1st
Feature: 6th -> 5th
Links:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DaleEliasonJr
Website: https://www.DaleEliasonJr.com
Article Credit: 26 Promotions