6/30/2015
Fezard Runs Strong at Highbanks Hustle
(Photo by Brandon Young)
MARION, Ill. – Following up an unfortunate turn of events at I-30 Speedway on June 20, Bradley Fezard made the long trip from his Arkansas home to Southern Illinois Raceway for the Engler Machine and Tool Highbanks Hustle. Though a main event start wouldn’t be in the cards for the weekend, making it into the B-main among 129 other entrants was nothing to scoff at.
The June 20 race at I-30 saw Fezard start fourth in the lone micro sprint heat, but quickly jump to the lead on lap one to win. Going from outside row one for the main event, the polesitter would take the point with Fezard pulling in behind. Looking for a way into the lead, he would soon hit a hole in the track and nearly flipped his machine. Gathering the handle on the car, the effects of the incident were not immediately felt. The jolt knocked the muffler loose, and when it eventually came free, it hit the rear end and forced Fezard to head to the infield and retire from the race. On the official score sheet, he would be listed eighth.
The big attraction this month, however, was to the northeast, in Marion, Ill. A massive $7500 payday was in store for the winner of the Highbanks Hustle. Originally scheduled for June 18-20, the race was pushed back one week due to inclement weather. The practice night went off without a hitch, but heavy rains on Friday would force another schedule change. Both the preliminary and main event nights were to be run on the same day, beginning Saturday at noon. 130 cars graced the pit area, setting up 13 heat races with an even ten cars in each. In heat nine, Fezard moved forward one position from fifth to fourth. That would set him up starting seventh in the fourth of six qualifiers, where the top three would move to the main event and the next three would go to the B-main. Falling back four spots to finish eleventh would make him done for the first “night.” But with another full program on deck, the night was still young.
Another 13 races were up next, and Fezard rose to the occasion this time around. Rallying from his sixth starting spot up into third gave him a great grid spot for the all-important qualifier. Going from fourth, dropping one position still got Fezard and his Honda-powered Stallard the final transfer into the B-main, the last shot to get into the main event. After qualifiers, 94 cars were done for the night. Only Fezard and 35 others remained to do battle for the big check. 18 were locked into the feature, and 18 more would vie for the final six transfers into the main. Starting 16th in the B, the No. 58 entry could never quite get rolling, and finished in 16th as well.
Fezard would like to thank Brandon’s Ranch and Aaron’s Powdercoating, as well as his mom and dad, Frank Galusha at Eagle Motorsports Inc, Justin Lovins with ML Amsoil, and his great fans for their continued support.
Fezard is next scheduled to compete on June 18-20 for the “Highbanks Hustle” at Southern Illinois Raceway in Marion, Ill. in the #58 600cc micro sprint entry.
Quick Results
June 20 – Little Rock, AR – 600cc Outlaw – Heat: 1st (4); Feature: 8th (2)
June 27 – Marion, IL – 600cc Outlaw – Prelim Heat: 4th (5); Prelim Qualifier: 11th (7); Finale Heat: 3rd (6); Finale Qualifier: 5th (4); Finale B-Main: 16th (16)
2015 Stats
15 races, 10 features, 0 wins, 3 top fives, 6 top tens, 2 DNFs
Social Media
Facebook: www.facebook.com/bradley.fezard
Instagram: www.instagram.com/bradley_fezard58
Article Credit: Redbeard Promotions
