Track Position Made a Difference for Jax Hughes at CNS – The Wrong Way

We’ve made a few changes to the 51 Super Stock, but have not seen the improvement at the track that we were expecting. We’ll keep chasing after it! The August 15 “Colorado Christian University Night” at CNS found Jax Hughes and team to be just off of that mark again. Regardless, it was a great night of racing for drivers and race fans alike. Thanks to Tom Morrey for helping us out in the pits again this week!

Practice was hot – the thermometer in Darrel Smith’s truck read 102 degrees while we were waiting in line at the pit gate at 1:00PM. The first session showed the car to be set up well, but the track was pretty slippery wherever you drove it. We decided to skip the second session and let the car cool off.

The skies had changed by qualifying time. We were in the high 80’s, the clouds rolled in, and the wind had come up. Several teams chased their shade canopies through the pits. With new right side tires, Jax took the track and put down a time of 20.62. It was good enough for 8th, but a whole second off of the quick time set by Brett Yackey. The car count was down this week, with only 14 competitors.

The dashes were set at 7 cars each, so Jax missed the fast dash by one position.

Track position – the top six of each dash were inverted, putting the 51 on the third row, outside. It took Jax 5 or 6 laps of dueling with the 26 car of Taylor Dragoon to finally get by and try to catch up with race leader Curtis Heldenbrand. There was not enough time at that point and he finished the dash 3rd.

Again, track position was a big factor in the main. Starting 5th row outside put Jax deep in the field. Again, he spent many laps side by side with Taylor Dragoon, neither one able to drive a good line and losing track position with every lap. He finally did get by and had some work to do to get back in the hunt. The car and driver came around by the end of the race, but were too far back to challenge for much more. With a caution-free race, Jax finished 9th. Congrats to Brett Yackey with a totally dominating day at CNS, setting quick time, winning the fast dash, and winning the main – and lapping half of the field in the process!

Our next race is Saturday, August 29 – “Bike Night” at CNS. The Day’s festivities include the 12th annual 9/11 Memorial Ride. The ride starts at 2PM with registration at CNS and leaves the track at 3:30PM. The cost is $15 for riders and passengers and comes with a VIP admission to the races after the motorcycle ride. Plus all riders get to participate in opening ceremonies including some parade laps around the speedway.

See you there!