GREENVILLE, S.C. – Report and photo by Race Chaser Online Managing Editor Jacob Seelman –
After a fast start in practice on Friday, Joey Padgett’s morning on Saturday at Greenville Pickens Speedway took a disastrous turn ahead of the Pro All Star Series’ Winter Meltdown.
Padgett was on his first flying lap in the opening practice session when he went into turn one and got up out of the groove, sliding his rear tires as he entered the corner. The right rear quarter panel made contact with the outside wall before the front nose slammed in between turns one and two.
The Florida native, who currently calls Concord, N.C. home, quickly exited his car and wrung his hands in frustration as he surveyed his heavily damaged No. 83 Menu Realty Chevrolet – and spoke with Race Chaser Online about the incident after he returned to his pit area.
“I just got up too high and ended up in the loose stuff,” a dejected Padgett said. “The track’s cold and I was searching for grip – there was just none out there when I went in the corner. From the middle of the track on up to the wall, you’re slipping and sliding and there’s not a whole lot you can do.”
While he didn’t say his day was done, the 19-year-old did admit it will be a long road to get his machine repaired in time to attempt to qualify for the afternoon’s 150-lap main event.
“We’re not giving up on it – we’re going to try to get back out there. We’ve got a lot of people offering help and letting us borrow parts and pieces to try and get things where they need to be so we can go out and race. It’s gonna be a long day, but we’ll just keep thrashing and see what happens.”
Qualifying for the PASS South portion of the Winter Meltdown at Greenville Pickens Speedway kicks off at 12:30 p.m. ET.
For more information on Greenville Pickens Speedway, visit the track website at www.greenvillepickens.com.
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 21-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 both the United Sprint Car Series and 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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