Positive Progress for Youngquist at Skagit
Alger, WA – Justin Youngquist Racing enjoyed a solid night of speed at Skagit Speedway’s 2016 season opener, racing from 12th to 7th in the main event. Youngquist will carry his momentum into this weekend’s $2,000 to win Summer Thunder Sprint Car Series event at Skagit Speedway on Saturday night.
Mechanical gremlins knocked out the scoring computer early in the night, so rather than time trial, Youngquist would pill draw for his starting spot in the Dale Melin owned #22 XXX. With a high pill drawn, Justin would start 8th and the heat and advance up to 5th. The top four cars would make the A Main invert, and Justin looked to take the fourth and final transfer spot from Lawrance Kirkham. Racing side by side into turn one, Justin swung wide at the corner entrance trying to get a charge off the cushion. The move fell short as, as the rapidly slicking off 3/10 mile clay oval wouldn’t hold the car, and he spun out, relegating him to the back of the field. He’d rally back forward to fifth by the end of the heat but would miss the invert.
Photo courtesy Lisa Dynes Photography
With a 12th place starting spot in the main event, Youngquist set his sights on passing as many cars as possible and earning the team a good finish. Early in the race, a melee caught Justin by surprise and resulted in him having a flat left rear tire. The team quickly put on a new left rear, but the spare had nearly 2” less of offset, causing Justin to be overtight until the fuel load burned off. As the track got slicker and wider, Youngquist got quicker, advancing from the back of the field to a solid 7th place finish.
“I think there were a lot of unknowns going into our first race at our home track, but I was very happy with how we worked together as well as how smooth we’re working as a team. Kudos also to the Skagit Speedway staff – I was really impressed with how the track had multiple grooves to race in and pass cars with. The track prep guys really did well with it,” said Justin.
In the coming weeks, Justin and team are excited to have their 2016 T-Shirts by Dirty Work Ink for sale. “We love working with local companies, and being as that Dirty Work Ink is located in Sedro-Woolley, WA, we’re stoked to have a great local company work with us on our apparel" said Justin.
Up next for the Melin Racing team is competition with the Summer Thunder Sprint Car Series at Skagit Speedway on Saturday, May 7.
Sponsors for 2016 include Here2Wire Electrical, Bubba Sudz Car Wash, Northern Collision, Dreamchasers RV of Burlington, Image360, Classic Rock 92.9 KISM, Dirty Work Ink, Feed Your Farm Hydroponic Fodder Systems, Les Schwab Tire Centers, Sky Harvest Produce, Triple X Race Components, Shark Racing Engines, Ultra Shield Race Products, Pyrotect, BLACKBEARDltd, Lisa Dynes Photography, Outback Steakhouse, Racing Hart Media. Follow Justin Youngquist on social media by searching Justin Youngquist Racing on Facebook, @JYoungquist56 on Twitter and at www.JustinYoungquist.com
