Jimmy Phelps / No. 98H Volusia Speedway Park Post-Race Report
Super DIRTcar: DIRTcar Nationals by UNOH: Big-Block Modifieds
Wednesday, February 17, 2010

Heinke-Baldwin Racing and driver Jimmy Phelps had a strong showing at DIRTcar Nationals last weekend at Volusia Speedway Park. After finishing fourth in two consecutive feature races, Phelps and the HBR team left the 0.5-mile dirt oval fifth in the final Big-Block Modified standings

Despite rain delays and cancellations, the Big-Block Modifieds put on an exciting show for fans throughout the four-day event. Teams lost practice time due to rain on Tuesday but returned to the track on Wednesday ready to race.

After lucky qualifying draws and impressive qualifying runs by Phelps, the No. 98H Wave Energy Drink entry took the green flag from the third position in both Wednesday and Thursday nights' features. The onslaught of rain throughout the week left the track with a narrow groove for passing, and Phelps fought to hold his ground, finishing fourth in both events.

Rain washed out Friday's activities, allowing the team to regroup and make the changes they felt the Wave Energy Drink machine needed. Returning to the track for the final feature with a very different setup, the HBR group felt confident about the day's performance.

An unlucky draw put Phelps in the rear of the pack for the qualifying race, but the new setup allowed him to move effortlessly through the field and finish second in the heat. With a fifth place starting position for the final feature of the weekend, Phelps was sure he could bring the No. 98H to victory lane.

At the wave of the green flag, Phelps' machine was the best it had been all weekend, and the Baldwinsville, NY native was poised for an exceptional race. Unfortunately, only a few laps into the 50-lap event, Phelps experienced a problem with the car's steering box, which took the team out of contention for the win. Despite the mechanical difficulty, Phelps was still able to work the No. 98H back into the top-10, but as laps wound down, he got caught up in the intense final restarts, losing positions and finally crossing the finish line in 13th.

After the three feature races, Phelps totaled 132 points, finishing fifth in the overall event standings.


Jimmy Phelps Quotes:

ON THE WEEKEND - "Overall this was a solid weekend for Heinke-Baldwin Racing. I'm disappointed that we lost out on practice time and Friday night's race, we were in the same shape as everyone else. I had some really good draws and runs at the beginning of the week, and we definitely had the right setup going into Saturday. Unfortunately, we had some bad luck in the final feature with the steering box problem, and then we got caught up in some late-race restarts. I really feel we could have won that last race, and I wish we'd had the opportunity to try. I'm very proud of the No. 98H team and our fifth place finish in the standings."

WEEKEND RECAP:
Feature No. 1 Recap:
Date: Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Track: Volusia Speedway Park
Event Name: Big-Block Modifieds, Feature No. 1
Start: 3rd
Finish: 4th

Feature No. 2 Recap:
Date: Thursday, February 11, 2010
Track: Volusia Speedway Park
Event Name: Big-Block Modifieds, Feature No. 2
Start: 3rd
Finish: 4th

Feature No. 3 Recap:
Date: Saturday, February 13, 2010
Track: Volusia Speedway Park
Event Name: Big-Block Modifieds, Feature No. 3
Start: 5th
Finish: 13th