Jimmy Phelps Continues Streak of Top-Five Finishes

MOORESVILLE, N.C. (July 22, 2010) - Heinke-Baldwin Racing (HBR) driver Jimmy Phelps continued his streak of Super DIRTcar Series top-five finishes, scoring finishes of second at Cayuga County Fair Speedway on Saturday, July 17, fourth at Autodrome Granby on Monday, July 19 and second at Autodrome Drummond on Tuesday, July 20. Phelps now has six-straight and 10 overall top-five finishes in 13 points-paying Super DIRTcar Series races this season.

After finishing second at Brewerton Speedway and taking the win at Cayuga County Fair Speedway, Phelps continued his strong All-Star Weekend showing, finishing second in the finale at Cayuga County Fair Speedway Saturday night. After strong finishes in the two 25-lap segments that were used to determine starting position for the feature, Phelps began the feature event in third position. It took only 10 laps for Phelps to take the top spot, but he fell just short of securing his second win of the weekend when the No. 9 nudged past on lap 43. Phelps settled in to earn a second-place finish.

"I really thought we had the car to beat until the track started to change pretty considerably," Phelps explained. "I've been racing at Weedsport for over 15 years, and I've never seen the track lay down rubber like it did on Saturday night. We were caught off-guard because Cayuga County just isn't one of the tracks where you expect that to happen. So, really, we were fortunate to hang onto second."

After a quick day off, Phelps and the No. 98H Wave Energy Drink/Mohawk Northeast Troyer Racecar team headed to Canada for another Super DIRTcar Series doubleheader. Despite bad weather early in the day, the Super DIRTcar Series was able to get in the 15th Annual Fromagerie Qualite Summum at Autodrome Granby on Monday.

Phelps had the fifth-fastest time in qualifying, laying down a 18.222-second lap (98.782 mph). He went on to finish second in his heat race and began the feature event in seventh position after the qualifying redraw. Despite struggling with the handling of the No. 98H, Phelps finished the race in fourth position.

"We had pretty tough conditions at Granby, after it rained all night and all morning," said Phelps. "We really underestimated how fast and rough the track was going to be, and we just missed the setup. It got a little better as the race went on, and due to attrition and patience we were able to finish fourth."

The Baldwinsville, N.Y., native traveled to nearby Autodrome Drummond for Tuesday night's race. Despite having the fourth-fastest time in qualifying, the veteran driver began the race in 15th position after struggling in his heat race. Throughout the feature, Phelps methodically worked his way forward. With just three laps to go ,Phelps moved into second position. He was able to catch race-leader Danny Johnson but ran out of time, crossing the finish line just behind him in second place.

"My guys hit the setup right on the head," Phelps said. "We started 15th, but we were still able to get to the front. I think honestly with a few more laps, we could have won the thing. All in all, things are looking really good. We made up some ground in the big points pictures this weekend, and we're still within reach of that championship and that is what we're working for."

After a string of strong finishes, Phelps is currently tied for second in the Super DIRTcar Series point standings, 59 points behind new-leader Matt Sheppard. He will race at Fulton Speedway and Brewerton Speedway the next two weekends in his family-owned Phelps Motorsports car. He will return to Super DIRTcar Series action on Monday, August 2 at Merrittville Speedway.

About Heinke-Baldwin Racing

Heinke-Baldwin Racing was formed in 2009 by H&H Motorsports owner Al Heinke and Tommy Baldwin Racing owner Tommy Baldwin. Both Baldwin and Heinke grew up racing in New England and saw an opportunity to work together to help young drivers pursue their dreams to race.

In 2010, the team's freshman year, HBR is fielding the No. 98H for driver Jimmy Phelps in the Super DIRTcar Series, with sponsorship from Wave Energy Drink. They will also be fielding the No. 98 for driver Erick Rudolph in the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour, with additional sponsorship from Pizza Logs, Brigham Concrete and PrimeTyme Motorsports.