– Brothers Kyle and Nick Hamilton return to the Coliseum floor with hopes of making the Rumble A-Main as a pair for the fourth time in their careers. The duo qualified into the field together on New Year’s Eve in 2010, as well as in the first two races of 2014’s three-day card.
Kyle, a graduate of Purdue University, is driving for midget racing legend Mel Kenyon in the No. 6 entry this year, while Nick will pilot a family-owned No. 32 during the two-day program.
– The overwhelming consensus from drivers after Thursday’s practice was that the track was “very loose”, with the the coke syrup-covered concrete struggling to take on rubber for much of the night.
“We were pretty loose,” said Stratton Briggs. “There’s speed in the car, but with the way the track was when we were out there, you just couldn’t hook up down the straightaways at all.”
“The track just isn’t in yet,” added Wease. “It’s hard to really pinpoint where you’re at on this first day, but I think we’re actually pretty good. I’m not complaining too bad, so that’s a good thing! (laugh) I think we’ll have a nice shot at (win) number six. I really do.”
– All-time USAC sprint car wins leader Dave Darland was never able to take a lap at speed, with his No. 25 Response Management entry unable to fire off after a myriad set of circumstances that left the team scrambling just to make it to the race track.
“We fired the primary car off at the shop, and the motor blew in the driveway,” Darland explained. “The team pulled this car down from the rafters and when we tried to fire it, the mag (magneto) was bad, so we threw it in the trailer and brought it here to change that, but it still didn’t fire there at the end of the session. There’s always tomorrow, though, so we’ll see.”
– Two-time Rumble winner Justin Peck didn’t even turn a lap in practice on Thursday night, but both he and his No. 5x were on the property and will chase their third victory this weekend.
– Also on the property was two-time former fast qualifier at the Rumble, Cooper Clouse, but the Ohio teenager confirmed he won’t be competing in this year’s event.
Instead, Clouse is focusing on his sprint car program, with plans to take a car down to Florida for February Speedweeks.
“We’re just saving the money we can in order to be ready to go in February,” Clouse said. “I certainly miss racing here, but you never know … there’s always next year.”
– Notably absent from this year’s Rumble practice day were former National Midget winner Brandon Knupp and all time Go-Kart wins leader Brandon Dunn.
Racing action at the 19th annual Rumble in Fort Wayne kicks off on Friday morning at 9:30 a.m. inside the Allen County War Memorial Coliseum Expo Center, with final practice for all divisions.
Opening ceremonies and feature racing is scheduled for a 7 p.m. start time, headlined by the Rumble Racing Series national midgets.
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: editor@racechaseronline.com
Follow on Twitter: @Speed77Radio or @JacobSeelman77
Email Race Chaser Online: news@racechaseronline.com
Follow RCO on Twitter: @RaceChaserNews
