(Photo by SprintFun Photos)
Inside Line Promotions – OSKALOOSA, Iowa (Aug. 8, 2017) – Trey Starks is hopeful he can produce a career-best performance during the 57th annual 5-Hour Energy Knoxville Nationals presented by Casey’s General Store this week after accomplishing that feat last weekend during the 27th annual 360 Knoxville Nationals presented by Great Southern Bank.
The Gobrecht Motorsports driver kicked off a successful weekend at Knoxville Raceway last Friday by qualifying 18th quickest to open his 360 Knoxville Nationals preliminary night. He then placed fourth in a heat race to lock into the main event, which he started on the pole.
“We were fortunate to be at the right position and we caught the feature inversion perfectly to start the A Main on the pole,” he said. “We took off and led some laps early.”
Starks led the opening lap and then Lap 3 through Lap 7 before falling to second.
“Brian Brown got by me just after the midpoint of the race and we settled for third, which was our best-ever finish at Knoxville,” he said. “We wanted the win, but to come out of our preliminary night with a podium finish was a big accomplishment.”
That earned enough points to lock Starks into Saturday’s A Main, which he finished 15th.
“Making the A Main was a feat in itself when there are 90-plus drivers racing,” he said. “We spent most of the race right around the 15th position before finishing there.”
The team swapped engines for Sunday’s Capitani Classic at Knoxville Raceway. Starks timed in sixth quickest in his group and he placed fourth in a heat race to miss locking into the main event by only one position.
“That’s a tough format,” he said. “There were 69 drivers and the heat race inversion was a four. You had to finish in the top three to go to the A Main and we didn’t quite make it.”
That relegated Starks to a B Main, in which a runner-up result locked him into the 21st starting position for the A Main. Unfortunately, a steering box problem resulted in a DNF.
Starks then ventured to Southern Iowa Speedway on Monday for the Front Row Challenge. He qualified 27th quickest and placed sixth in a heat race before winning the B Main from the sixth starting position. Starks advanced from 21st to 16th in the A Main.
The Gobrecht Motorsports team will return to action at Knoxville Raceway during the 57th annual 5-Hour Energy Knoxville Nationals presented by Casey’s General Store, which is this Wednesday through Saturday.
“I feel good going into the event,” Starks said. “I think we have a great opportunity to do the best we’ve ever done at the Knoxville Nationals. All of the recent laps we’ve put in at Knoxville should be a big help. I’m really looking forward to the challenge.”
QUICK RESULTS –
Aug. 4 – Knoxville Raceway in Knoxville, Iowa – Qualifying: 18; Heat race: 4 (3); Feature: 3 (1).
Aug. 5 – Knoxville Raceway in Knoxville, Iowa – Feature: 15 (16).
Aug. 6 – Knoxville Raceway in Knoxville, Iowa – Qualifying: 6; Heat race: 4 (3); B Main: 2 (1); Feature: 23 (21).
Aug. 7 – Southern Iowa Speedway in Oskaloosa, Iowa – Qualifying: 27; Heat race: 6 (7); B Main: 1 (6); Feature: 16 (21).
SEASON STATS –
40 races, 2 wins, 11 top fives, 16 top 10s, 24 top 15s, 31 top 20s
UP NEXT –
Wednesday through Saturday at Knoxville Raceway in Knoxville, Iowa, for the 57th annual 5-Hour Energy Knoxville Nationals presented by Casey’s General Store
MEDIA LINKS –
Website: http://www.TreyStarksRacing.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Starks55Trey
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TreyStarksRacing?fref=ts
APPAREL –
Starks has t-shirts and hoodies for sale at http://www.TreyStarksRacing.com.
SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT – Brown & Miller Racing Solutions
Brown & Miller Racing Solutions is a leader in lightweight hoses and fittings within the motor sports industry. For more information, visit http://www.BMRS.net.
“Brown & Miller Racing Solutions has worked with members of our team for a long time,” Starks said. “They are a trusted company that produces top-notch products so we are thrilled to have them support our team.”
Gobrecht Motorsports would also like to thank Champion Brands, Starks Timber Processing, Golf Cart Services, ServiceMaster Clean, J&J Auto Racing, Textron Off Road, Fibreworks Composites, FK Rod Ends, Gettysburg Rental Center, Gardy’s Enterprises, Kleffel’s, Moose Blocks, Beer Hill Gang, Baker Door Company, Moose Lodge 720, Pancho’s Racing Products, Pro Shocks, Auto Meter, KSE Racing Products, Fel-Pro, Taylor Ignition Wires, Miller Welders, K&N Filters, Mettec, Bell Helmets, AL Driveline, DMI, Champion Spark Plugs, ISC Racers Tape, Schroth Racing, HMS Motorsports, King Racing Products, Kinsler Fuel Injection, All Pro Aluminum Cylinder Heads, Ultra Lite Brakes & Components and Security Race Products for their continued support.
INSIDE LINE PROMOTIONS –
Inside Line Promotions specializes in affordable public relations and media management for motor sports drivers, teams, sponsors, tracks, series, events, organizations and manufacturers. ILP Founder Shawn Miller leverages professional journalism with new media technologies and social networking to improve your exposure and the return on investment for your sponsors.
To meet the media relations needs of your program by joining Team ILP, contact Shawn at 541-510-3663 or Shawn@InsideLinePromotions.com. For more information on Inside Line Promotions, visit http://www.InsideLinePromotions.com.
