10/21/2018
Riley Baldwin
The Turtle climbs on to the podium at Wiley Gordon Memorial
As the season was coming to a close, Shell Shocked Racing driver Riley Baldwin was hesitant about entering the 100 lap Sr Honda Event. Having never ran that long in competition, he was afraid his conditioning wouldn't last. The Turtle buckled in and challenged 6 other cars for 100 laps at the Kokomo, Indiana quarter midget race track.
The day started off rough, with cold temperatures in the 40's and broken shock in the heat race. The crew wire tied and duct taped the shock back together and hoped it would hold up under the additional laps of the event.
As the race started and a few laps had been counted, Riley piloted his Baker Racing Engines - Honda Powered Nervo around a couple of slower cars making their first laps in the class. He remained in contact with the leaders as the laps ticked away. A couple of lap battle for the fourth position ensued and the Shelled one pulled away and set his sights on third. After a couple of yellows and restarts, the turtles car looked like it was holding together, and we would be able to complete the event.
One of the back markers made a ill-times move in front of the bright green nervo, and caused Riley to react suddenly and spin the car. He went to the tail, losing contact with the leaders. After the restart, the laps wound down and the Turtle came alive, getting to a great line, passing slower cars and finally passed for third. Holding off the fourth place car in the last laps and trying to challenge for second place is what race car drivers dream off. Riley kept his elbows up and finally got around the second place car to steal the spot. Shortly after that, a mechanical issue for the third place car brought out the final yellow flag for the last time in the event.
Upon the start, the first place car never looked back and Riley was able to hold off a couple of challenges for his position. Seeing the white flag thrown and the Turtle in second a few car lengths ahead of third, the crew began to celebrate as the driver brought the car home.
The belts couldn't come off fast enough as Riley stopped after the scales. He had done it. His conditioning held out, the wire ties and duct tape held out, and we were the 2nd place finisher in the 100 lap Wiley Gordon Memorial event and took home some hardware.
Submitted By: Charles Baldwin
Article Media
