Posted on by gsadmin

PERSEVERENCE PAYS OFF, EGAN CONQUERS ‘CLASH AT THE DOWNS’

Story by: Caleb Slouha (Hawkeye Downs PR)

Leading up to the start of the “Clash at the Downs V” at Hawkeye Downs Speedway in Cedar Rapids Iowa on Friday night, Nick Egan wasn’t thinking this would be his breakthrough week.

After a big wreck at his home track in Wisconsin just five days prior, Egan was left with a bent stub among other significant damage. The team worked hard to get it fixed just in time to make the trip to Iowa for the opening race of the 2019 Big 8 Late Model Series season.

“At two o’clock this morning we were just about ready to load up,” the 2018 series rookie said in victory lane. “The only testing I had was driving it to the hauler, it’s really scary coming to a big track with no testing after a big wreck like that.”

Their hard work paid off, as Egan survived the chaos throughout the race to grab his first career series victory at the end.

Calamity struck even before racing even began, when Minnesota’s Grant Brown had an issue in qualifying and went into the turn three wall, ending his night.

Then it was time for the 48 lap feature event. Before a full lap of green was made, Chad Walen and Mark Ironside made contact—prompting a full restart. Matt Lundberg took the early lead until Brody Willett assumed the top spot on the race’s third lap.

Willett continued to lead until a caution came out with 16 to go, meaning fast qualifier, Griffin McGrath, would be lined up right behind him. Two laps later, the drivers made contact coming out of turn four, sending both head-on into the wall. Both drivers were okay, but their night was over.

When the race was restarted, it was Michael Bilderback and Egan who led the charge. As the two got side by side, slight contact was made, giving Egan the head spot and dropping Bilderback backwards. From there it was clear sailing for Egan, who was able to drive away and collect his first-ever Big 8 Late Model Series victory in just his second full season racing with the series.

“We were lined up for the red flag, I saw Mikey (Bilderback) looked like he had a tire going down, and I knew I could get by him,” Egan said. “We took a big swing at it after the heat race, and the adjustments we made really helped and brought us here.”

A second place finish was enough for a big smile as Lundberg climbed out of the car. When asked if he thought he would end up where he did:

“Early on? No!,’ He said. “As the night went on the car got better and better and the cautions helped us cool the tires down then we were able to get by guys.”

The next event for the Big 8 Late Model Series is scheduled for Friday, June 28th at Madison International Speedway in Oregon Wisconsin, with the traditional running of the “Salute to America” 48 lap event. Along with a large post-race Fireworks Display, the Big 8 ‘weekly warriors’ are set to share the spotlight at Madison with the USAC Silver Crown Champ Car Series.

27 Replies to “PERSEVERENCE PAYS OFF, EGAN CONQUERS ‘CLASH AT THE DOWNS’”

  12. Hey there. I discovered your web site by the use of Google while looking for a related matter, your web site got here up. It looks great. I have bookmarked it in my google bookmarks to come back then. Lizabeth Erie Schach

  13. Pretty section of content. I just stumbled upon your site and in accession capital to assert that I get in fact enjoyed account your blog posts. Any way I will be subscribing to your feeds and even I achievement you access consistently rapidly. Simona Lemmie Doubler

  16. I was extremely pleased to uncover this page. I need to to thank you for your time due to this wonderful read!! I definitely really liked every bit of it and I have you bookmarked to look at new things on your site. Babita Tristan Shepp

  17. very few web sites that happen to become comprehensive beneath, from our point of view are undoubtedly nicely really worth checking out Mersey Rocky Crispin

  18. Having read this I thought it was rather informative. I appreciate you taking the time and energy to put this content together. I once again find myself spending a significant amount of time both reading and leaving comments. But so what, it was still worth it. Elberta Ric Louisette

  22. Why viewers still make use of to read news papers when in this technological world all is accessible on net?| Rhiamon Samuel Othilie

  24. I wish to convey my respect for your kind-heartedness supporting folks that should have help with the situation. Your very own dedication to passing the message all around appeared to be really advantageous and has frequently enabled guys just like me to attain their targets. Your insightful guide means this much a person like me and even more to my fellow workers. Thanks a lot; from all of us. Wilma Stillman Corenda

Comments are closed.

Proudly powered by WordPress