Smith Collects Four Top-Fives with All Stars

Smith Collects Four Top-Fives with All Stars

Story By: Mandee Pauch/MPR

Photos By: Dan DeMarco/RacersGuide.com

Mandee Pauch Relations – August 27, 2019 – Ryan Smith and the Heffner Racing team had a busy four-day weekend in Central Pennsylvania for the All Star Circuit of Champions swing.

The weekend swing kicked off Thursday evening at Grandview Speedway where Ryan timed second fastest overall, lining him up third in the heat race.

“We finished third in the heat and made it into the dash and finished seventh,” Smith said.

Smith rolled off on the inside of the fourth row for the 35-lap main event. He was able to pick off a few spots and cross the line in fifth place.

“We got hit with rain after time trials,” Smith added. “The rain didn’t help. It made it tricky to pass.”

The following night had the team back at Williams Grove Speedway for twin 20’s.

Smith timed in sixth and finished runner-up in his heat race.

“We started fourth and finished fourth in the first 20,” he said. “We had a good shot at winning the second 20. The car was really good, but we fell one spot short.”

Saturday evening saw the team at Lincoln Speedway where Smith timed third fastest overall.

“We started third in the heat and drove away with the win,” Smith said.

Smith’s heat race win put him in the dash once again where he finished in fourth, which then lined him up on the outside of the second row for the main event.

“We started fourth and finished third,” Smith said. “It was a fast track. Once you got going, it was right around the top so you couldn’t really make the moves to go anywhere.”

With four top-fives collected thus far on the weekend, the team was confident going into Sunday’s event at BAPS Motor Speedway.

“We timed in sixth, started on the pole and won the heat at BAPS,” added Smith.

By luck of the draw, Smith drew eight out of eight for the dash. He finished eighth which then lined him up on the outside of the fourth row for the feature.

“We didn’t even get up to speed and got tossed for a crew guy box infraction,” Smith said.

The call that was made by officials forced the No.72 car to go pit side for the remainder of the race.

“I was going for my eighth top-five in a row Sunday night,” Smith noted. “We were really good. We’re in the hunt. We just need to have better luck. We’ve been fast since we put this car together. We just have to win a race.”

Next on tap for the No.72 team will be another four-day weekend. The team will be at Williams Grove on Friday, Port Royal on Saturday, Selinsgrove on Sunday, and Port Royal on Monday.

RYAN SMITH SEASON STATS –

44 races– 2 wins, 23 top five’s, 31 top 10s