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Smith Locks into First Two Features of Winter Heat Sprint Car Showdown

(Photo by Matt Hill)

Inside Line Promotions – SOMERTON, Ariz. (Jan. 5, 2016) – Ryan Smith powered to a pair of 20th-place results last weekend during the first two rounds of the 2nd annual Winter Heat Sprint Car Showdown.

Smith, who teamed up with Arizona racer Ryan Linder for the five-race event at Cocopah Speedway, kicked off the action last Friday by placing third in a heat race before he won a qualifier.

“Pretty much out of the box we were good and that’s key,” Smith said. “We did our homework in the shop. The biggest thing right now is the brakes because it’s a different system and a different steering box. It’s a little different feel there.”

The strong start locked Smith into the 15th starting position for the 30-lap main event.

“That was our main goal for Night 1, to get in the show,” he said. “We were decent in the feature. I ended up losing brakes. On a track like that when it gets slippery you need brakes.”

Smith also lost a tire in the closing laps, which cost him several positions as he ended the night 20th.

The weekend concluded on Saturday at the 3/8-mile oval, where Smith finished fifth in a heat race and third in a qualifier. That relegated him to a B Main.

“We found something in the B Main I think we’ll be good with,” he said. “We drove it up to second and got in the show. Since I was starting in the back we didn’t put new tires on for the feature. I ended up sealing the right rear tire up so we just hung on. I was marching early, but we had that first yellow and you could tell it was sealed over. At the end of the feature it felt like I had 15 pounds in the right rear.”

Smith held on to the 20th-place result.

“To roll a new car out like this and a new team, we made the show both nights, it was a good start to the Winter Heat Sprint Car Showdown,” he said.

The event continues on Wednesday with additional races on Friday and Saturday.

QUICK RESULTS –

Jan. 1 – Cocopah Speedway in Somerton, Ariz. – Heat race: 3 (3); Qualifier: 1 (2); Feature: 20 (15).

Jan. 2 – Cocopah Speedway in Somerton, Ariz. – Heat race: 5 (3); Qualifier: 3 (1); B Main: 2 (4); Feature: 20 (19).

SEASON STATS –

2 races, 0 wins, 0 top fives, 0 top 10s, 0 top 15s, 2 top 20s

UP NEXT –

Wednesday, Friday and Saturday at Cocopah Speedway in Somerton, Ariz., for the 2nd annual Winter Heat Sprint Car Showdown

MEDIA LINKS –

Website: http://www.RyanSmithRacing.com

Twitter: https://twitter.com/RyanSmithRacing

Twitter Race Updates: https://twitter.com/DeniseS_SS

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RyanSmith.TheKunkletownKid

Instagram: https://instagram.com/denises_ss

APPAREL –

Visit http://www.RyanSmithRacing.com to view the latest apparel options, which include t-shirts and hoodies.

SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT – S&S Speedways

S&S Speedways is a family owned and operated fun center located in Stroudsburg, Pa. For the novice to the racing enthusiast, S&S Speedways showcases an indoor track that assimilates dirt racing with side-by-side action generating lots of smiles. S&S is open 7 days a week offering public racing and private parties by reservation. The lobby offers full track viewing to watch the racing plus video games, a snack bar, pool table and S&S merchandise is available. For more information, visit http://www.SSSpeedways.com.

“It’s the best indoor slick track for go-karts in Eastern Pennsylvania,” Smith said. “It really simulates dirt track racing. It’s a fun place for a family to have a great time out.”

Smith would also like to thank Warko Group, G.L.T. Electrical, East Coast Helicopter Tours, Quality Roofing Supply, Fighting Angels Foundation, CnB Chubby, Armbruster Racing Photos, Thunder on the Hill Racing Series, HP Engines, Pancho’s Racing Products, GME Steering and Vahlco Racing Wheels 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.

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