5/28/2023
Drake Troutman
Troutman kicks off Memorial Day weekend with World of Outlaws
Drake Troutman got an early start to the Memorial Day weekend on Tuesday afternoon with a trip to Stateline Speedway (Busti, N.Y.) to compete with the World of Outlaws Case Late Model Series World for the Stateline Showdown.
After laying down the third-fastest lap in his 21-car group in time trials, Drake suffered a flat left-rear tire in his heat that ended his night early. He was slated to start his consolation race in 11th but scratched to prepare for the remainder of the week.
Rejoining the World of Outlaws on Thursday at Sharon Speedway (Hartford, Ohio) for the Battle at the Border opener, Troutman outran Ryan Gustin in his heat race to pick up the eight-lap victory. Receiving the pole for the feature via the redraw, Drake was collected in a pair of tangles that forced him pitside. After early contact while running in third, Troutman was involved in another altercation on the ensuing restart that resulted in an early exit.
For another $6,000-to-win prelim on Friday, Drake topped his 19-car group in time trials before placing first in his heat. Starting the feature in third, Troutman tagged the wall while running sixth on lap 15 that saw him retire eight circuits later.
On Saturday, Troutman faded to finish seventh in his heat, relegating him into a B-Main for one final shot at the $25,000-to-win Battle at the Border finale. Needing to place third or better, Drake fell two spots short with a fifth-place outing.
The weekend drew to a close on Sunday with a visit to Potomac Speedway (Budds Creek, Md.) to compete in the Ernie Jones Memorial. With a heat race victory placing him on the second row for the feature, Drake gained one spot in the 30-lapper to register a second-place finish. He chased Trevor Collins to the checkers with Logan Roberson rounding out the podium.
Full results from the events are available at www.WorldofOutlaws.com and www.PotomacSpeedway.com.
Article Credit: Jacy Norgaard photo