Ryan Smith Ready to Take On The All-Stars
Smith Eager to Return to Racing With All Stars After Weekend Off
Story By: SHAWN MILLER / INSIDE LINE MEDIA
Photos By:RACERSGUIDE.COM PHOTO STAFF
KUNKLETOWN, Pa. August 19, 2016 – Ryan Smith was looking forward to competing in his first Knoxville Nationals. But, as is often the case in sprint car racing, plans changed and Smith spent the weekend with family and friends.
“We couldn’t get a tow vehicle around in time, but that’s okay,” he said. “After three years of racing nearly every weekend, I owed my girlfriend and my family and friends some time and it was nice. But I’m really ready to get back in the car.
“We watched the Knoxville Nationals on the computer. What an awesome race and I hope I can be a part of it next year.”
The week prior, Smith’s string of bad luck continued as a collapsed wing in his heat race made for a long night at Williams Grove Speedway in Mechanicsburg, Pa., on Aug. 5
“I was running third in the heat and the left side panel of the wing collapsed and I nursed it home in fifth,” he said. “We started 14th and it was a hammer-down track so I just pulled in.”
The following night Lady Luck finally started to turn in Smith’s favor at Port Royal Speedway in Port Royal, Pa.
“I didn’t qualify good enough to make the invert so I started 12th in the feature,” he said. “I got up to challenge for a top-five finish. I got to seventh and two, three or four cars were battling and the caution came out with about seven laps to go. The tires cooled down and I couldn’t get going. But we got eighth and the way the past month has been, it’s a good confidence builder.”
Smith plans to compete with the Arctic Cat All Star Circuit of Champions in a tripleheader this week. It kicked off last night at Grandview Speedway in Bechtelsville, Pa.; continues Friday with the Jack Gunn Memorial at Williams Grove Speedway in Mechanicsburg, Pa.; and it wraps up Saturday at Lincoln Speedway in Abbottstown, Pa.
” I usually run pretty good against the All Stars so I’m excited for this weekend.”
SEASON STATS –
46 races, 0 wins, 9 top fives, 23 top 10s, 32 top 15s, 36 top 20s
UP NEXT –
Thursday at Grandview Speedway in Bechtelsville, Pa.; Friday at Williams Grove Speedway in Mechanicsburg, Pa.; and Saturday at Lincoln Speedway in Abbottstown, Pa., with Arctic Cat All Star Circuit of Champions
MEDIA LINKS –
Website: http://www.RyanSmithRacing.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/RyanSmithRacing
Twitter Race Updates: https://twitter.com/DeniseS_SS
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RyanSmith.TheKunkletownKid
Instagram: https://instagram.com/denises_ss
APPAREL –
Visit http://www.RyanSmithRacing.com to view the latest apparel options, which include t-shirts and hoodies.
SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT – Fighting Angels Foundation
Fighting Angels Foundation, Inc. is a non-profit organization dedicated to support and fund research and raises awareness of the rare neuro-genetic disorder Angelman Syndrome as well as serving and protecting the needs of the 1 in 15,000 individuals affected by this disorder. Our inspiration is Joseph (Joey) Paul Moretti Jr. FAF focuses its activities through yearly fundraising events and the support of public donations from generous individuals and companies to help fund its cause. Fighting to Talk, Fighting to Walk, Fighting for a Cure is our motto! For more information, visit http://www.FightingAngelsFoundation.com.
“We are planning to have a car painted up for them in next couple of weeks,” Smith said. “It will be a white car with blue decals. It will be really cool. We are doing everything we can to help bring awareness to what Fighting Angels are doing. They are great people doing great things to help find a cure for Angelman Syndrome.”
Smith would also like to thank Warko Group, G.L.T. Electrical, CnB Chubby, Fighting Angels Foundation, S&S Speedways, Quality Roofing Supply, East Coast Helicopter Tours, Armbruster Racing Photos, Thunder on the Hill Racing Series, HP Engines, Pancho’s Racing Products, GME Steering and Vahlco Racing Wheels for their continued support.
