4/29/2013
Ray Parent
Overcoming Obstacles: Parent 10th at Thunder Road
Ray Parent and the Amtrol Racing Team headed north this past weekend for the second event of the 2013 American Canadian Tour season; an event in which Parent was just looking to crack the top 10 in the final finishing order. Thunder Road Speedbowl has not been kind to the Tiverton, RI driver. As his previous best finishes of 18th and 29th around the high banks were nothing to write home about.
“This has been our worst track, said Parent. We have never even qualified for this event (the Merchant’s Bank 150) before… So to make in through a heat race was a huge hurdle. Our goal for the weekend was to (A) make the show and (B) get a top 10 finish out of it. We were able to meet both.”
After a fierce battle with Jamie Fisher for the number two spot in the heat race, Parent qualified for the 18th starting position in the 150 lap event. “The draw defiantly helped out. The fact that we were able to maintain our track position in the heat got us into the show, said Parent.”
Parent spent most of the event in the middle of the pack which meant he was part of the action all day. Just trying to survive for the much of the race was the key to a good finish. “We managed to stay out of trouble. We were certainly in the middle of most of it back there. But we saved our tires and avoided the wrecks.”
Parent crossed the finish line in the 10th position and was pleased with overall outcome. He was happier knowing that if it had been a 200 lap event he could have finished well inside the top 10. “Are car was getting better the longer we went. Some of those guys were backing up to us. Lapped traffic was a struggle today. Guys were racing way too hard for being multiple laps down and it was difficult to get through them; otherwise I think we could have finished 6th or 7th. I wish the race had been about 20 laps longer.”
The 10th place finish will move Parent into the 3rd overall points position in the series standings. A much better start to the season than years past. “We weren't even in the top 10 at this point last year so to have two top 10 finishes to start the season is unbelievable.”
Once again the crew chief by committee showed prowess as the Team rallied around a struggling practice session to bring a positive outcome to the weekend. “I’m really proud of the Team effort again this week. We struggled through practice on Saturday and the guys never gave up. We changed a bunch of things on Sunday and the guys all pulled together, said Ray.”
Ray was equally excited to welcome a couple new honorary Team members to the 17RI machine Sunday. A couple from Los Alamitos California happened upon them at the hotel on Saturday night as they discussed what changes to make to their Amtrol Ford Fusion. The Tremlin's were in Vermont celebrating their 56th wedding anniversary.
Clare and Audrey had never attended a stock car race. As Parent offered up a chance to attend Sunday’s festivities the couple surely became life long new fans of racing as well as good luck. “It was great to meet them and have them at the track. It's never to late to become a race fan. I think they might stick around and come to Devils Bowl next weekend. We’ll take any and all kinds of luck we can, said Parent."
The series heads back to Vermont on Sunday for round #3. The annual Spring Green 113 at the Mike Bruno owned Devils Bowl Speedway in Fair Haven. A track in which Parent finished 4th at in 2012.
What: The Spring Green 113
Where: Devils Bowl Speedway – Fair Haven, VT
When: Sunday May 5th, 2013
Post Time: 1:30PM
Rayline Racing would like to thank our proud partners.: Amtrol • HydroLevel • Distinctive Auto Body • Phoenix Builders • Bayside Auto Center • Bobs Sea And Ski • Dan Davies Sales • Dominator Diesel • Five Star Bodies • Longacre Racing Products • Hedman Hedders • Ford Racing
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Eric LaFleche / VLF Photo
Article Credit: Jason Lubin / Welded Media
Submitted By: Jason Lubin
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