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Wheatley Searching for Forward Drive in Return to the Midwest

Inside Line Promotions - KNOXVILLE, Iowa (Aug. 5, 2013) - Last weekend definitely wasn't the return to the Midwest Austen Wheatley had envisioned.

The weekend started with Friday night of the World of Outlaws STP Sprint Car Series Ironman 55 doubleheader at Federated Auto Parts Raceway at I-55 in Pevely, Mo., being rained out.

"That was kind of a bummer," he said. "I was hoping to get a warm-up."

Wheatley qualified 20th quickest on Saturday at the high-banked track. After placing seventh in his heat race, he was relegated to the Last Chance Showdown. Wheatley finished fourth in the consolation to earn a transfer to the 55-lap feature, which he started 21st.

"We just were chasing it the whole night," he said. "We had no forward drive. We started going decent in the feature. I got up to 14th or 15 th and spun out on a restart."

Wheatley was caught up in a pair of wrecks and salvaged a 17th-place finish during his first race outside the West Coast this season.

The team headed to Knoxville Raceway on Sunday for the Capitani Classic, which was a tune-up for the 53rd annual FVP Knoxville Nationals this weekend.

"We drew the 84 pill out of 90 for qualifying, so we were pretty much behind the eight ball," he said.

With 81 competitors at the half-mile oval, Wheatley was one of the last to qualify and he ended up 68th quickest. Only the top 60 advanced to the heat races, forcing Wheatley to start outside the fourth row for the C Main.

"We were really, really too free for qualifying and the C Main," he said. "I just couldn't get it to go forward."

Wheatley placed seventh to miss a transfer by only two positions.

His scheduled qualifying night for the 53rd annual Knoxville Nationals is Thursday with the finale on Saturday.

QUICK RESULTS -

Aug. 3 - Federated Auto Parts Raceway at I-55 - Qualifying: 20; Heat race: 7 (5); B Main: 4 (3); Feature: 17 (21).

Aug. 4 - Knoxville Raceway in Knoxville, Iowa - Qualifying: 68; C Main: 7 (8).

SEASON STATS -

15 races, 0 wins, 1 top five, 1 top 10, 2 top 15s, 5 top 20s

UP NEXT -

Thursday through Saturday at Knoxville Raceway in Knoxville, Iowa, for the 53rd annual FVP Knoxville Nationals

APPAREL -

Stop by the Downforce Designs tent under the main grandstands throughout the 53rd annual FVP Knoxville Nationals for Downforce signature clothing.

SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS -

Website: http://www.AustenWheatley.com

Twitter: https://twitter.com/MiniWheats44w

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DownForceDesigns?fref=ts

SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT - Redlined Welding & Construction

Redlined Welding & Construction performs welding and construction for fishing boats and processors. Based out of Lake Stevens, Wash., Redlined Welding & Construction is owned and operated by Austen's father, Shannon Wheatley.

"Redlined Welding & Construction is a family business and we race with a family team, so without Redlined Welding & Construction I wouldn't be able to race," Austen Wheatley said. "It is the heart and soul of this team."

Wheatley would also like to thank Downforce Designs, The Oil Medics, Astro Titanium, Fire-Down Graphics, BR Motorsports, Bell and King Racing Products for their continued support.

INSIDE LINE PROMOTIONS -

Inside Line Promotions specializes in affordable public relations, media management and merchandising services for sprint car teams. ILP Founder Shawn Miller leverages professional journalism with new media technologies and social networking to improve your exposure and your sponsors' return on investment.

To meet the media relations needs of your team, contact Shawn at 541-510-3663 or sprintcarreporter@yahoo.com. For more information on Inside Line Promotions, visit http://www.insidelinepromotions.com.

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