ALTON, Va. — Audio, photo and story by Race Chaser Online Managing Editor Jacob Seelman —
New car? No problem.
For 17-year-old Austin Cindric, his first on-track outing with Martin-McClure Racing was a successful one on Saturday morning at VIRginia International Raceway, as the former IMSA Continental Tire SportsCar Challenge winner took to his road course roots and led the way in the only practice session for the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East on the 2.25 mile North Course.
Cindric posted a time of 1:28.779 on his final of 17 laps in the hour and a half session to lead the way in the No. 39 Reynolds Wrap/K&T Sports Memorabilia Toyota, which is fresh off a win last time out at Bristol Motor Speedway with Chad Finchum on April 16.
“Chad left me some pretty big shoes to fill, winning at Bristol, but this is a great way to start trying to fill them,” Cindric said after climbing from his car. “Great to be working with these guys, and I’m hoping to bring them a similar result.”
“We’re just looking forward to the race and having a lot of fun. These stock cars are a blast to drive, with skinny little tires underneath a big, heavy car and a lot of horsepower — way different than my normal — but I’m really excited for the race this afternoon. This is my first time (at VIR) in a stock car and my first time on a road course in one as well, so it’s been a little bit of a learning curve, but after testing with the majority of the field last Wednesday and coming out with this speed today I couldn’t be happier with where we’re at right now.”
All that said, there was still one recommendation Cindric had for the series and track staff:
“I wish we were running the full (3.27 mile) course because then you get the esses which are so much fun, but it’s all good (laughs).”
HScott Motorsports with Justin Marks veteran, 17-year-old Justin Haley, was the fastest of the series regulars in second after piloting his No. 5 Braun Auto Group Chevrolet to a time of 1:29.112 seconds on his second lap of the session — a time that nearly held up through the entire way before Cindric eclipsed it in the final moments.
Series points leader Kyle Benjamin, who said that his Ranier Racing with MDM team got his No. 40 FEVR Chevrolet in the shop Wednesday and “were thrashing on it long into the nights this week just to get us here,” proved that despite his relative inexperience on road courses he will be a force as well after posting a time of 1:30.144 on his mock qualifying run.
NASCAR K&N Pro Series East and West regular Noah Gragson, who has prior road course experience from his Legends car days out west, was fourth (1:30.152) and Kaz Grala (1:30.563) rounded out the ‘Fast Five’.
Tyler Dippel, Austin Theriault, Collin Cabre, Brian Henderson and Ruben Garcia Jr. were the balance of the top 10.
Defending race winner Sergio Pena was 15th in his new ride with Hunt-Sellers Racing.
Coors Light Pole Qualifying for the Biscuitville 125 kicks off at 1 p.m. ET.
Audio with practice leader Austin Cindric:
Audio with second-quick Justin Haley:
Audio with third-quick Kyle Benjamin:
RESULTS: NASCAR K&N Pro Series East; Race Day Practice; VIRginia International Raceway; April 30, 2016
- Austin Cindric
- Justin Haley
- Kyle Benjamin
- Noah Gragson
- Kaz Grala
- Tyler Dippel
- Austin Theriault
- Collin Cabre
- Brian Henderson
- Ruben Garcia Jr.
- Spencer Davis
- Harrison Burton
- Jairo Avila Jr.
- Gracin Raz
- Sergio Pena
- Hunter Baize
- Dominique van Wieringen
- John Holleman IV
- Ronnie Bassett Jr.
- Ali Kern
- J.P. Morgan
- Dillon Bassett
- Sarah Cornett-Ching
- Trey Hutchens III
About the Writer
Jacob Seelman is the Managing Editor of Race Chaser Online and creator of the Motorsports Madness radio show, airing at 7 p.m. Eastern every Monday on the Performance Motorsports Network.
Seelman grew up in the sport, watching his grandparents co-own the RaDiUs Motorsports NASCAR Cup Series team in the 1990s.
The 22-year-old is currently studying Broadcast Journalism at Winthrop University in Rock Hill, S.C., and is also serving as the full-time tour announcer for the Must See Racing Sprint Car Series.
Email Jacob at: speed77radio@gmail.com
Follow on Twitter: @Speed77Radio or @JacobSeelman77
Email Race Chaser Online: news@racechaseronline.com
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