Columbus Motor Speedway…The NASCAR K&N Pro Series East (NKNPSE) gets set for the 11th race of the 2014 season, the JEGS 150 at Columbus Motor Speedway. Turner Scott Motorsports (TSM) looks to return to their winning ways following a tough outing at New Hampshire a week prior. Ben Rhodes got the weekend started on a high note, as he captured the 21 Means 21 pole award. Kaz Grala, meanwhile, led the charge in the race, capturing the only top-10 finish for TSM. Cameron Hayley, Brandon Jones, Rhodes and Scott Heckert suffered from setbacks in the race, ultimately hindering their overall finishes. Heckert is the only TSM driver with previous experience at Columbus in the NKNPSE; Grala, Jones, Rhodes and Hayley will all make their first-career starts in the NKNPSE at Columbus this weekend. All five TSM drivers recently tested together at Columbus Motor Speedway in preparation for this weekend’s JEGS 150.
Kaz Grala…Grala enters the JEGS 150 coming off yet another top-10 run last week at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. This weekend, the youngest full-time driver in the NKNPSE looks to build upon his back-to-back top-10 finishes heading into Columbus Motor Speedway in his first-career start at Columbus in the NKNPSE. Grala currently sits 10th in the NKNPSE Driver Point Standings.
Kaz Grala on his first-career start in the NKNPSE at Columbus:
“I’m really looking forward to getting to Columbus this weekend. We had another solid top 10 last weekend at my home track, and I think we will be able to continue upon the success we’ve had over the last few races. Hopefully we can keep the No. 31 NETTTS/Kiklos Chevrolet in the top 10 and even challenge for a top five or the win.”
Brandon Jones…Jones comes into the JEGS 150 looking to start a new streak of top-10 runs following a 21st-place finish at New Hampshire. Jones was in position for a top-five finish when a late-race, last-lap incident ended his night on a low note. The 17-year-old looks to build upon what was a strong run yet again at New Hampshire, even without the overall result, as Jones gets set to make his first NKNPSE start at Columbus Motor Speedway. Jones sits fifth in the NKNPSE Driver Point Standings heading into the JEGS 150.
Brandon Jones on the weekend at Columbus:
“The entire No. 33 Wolfpack Energy Services team is optimistic heading into this weekend’s race at Columbus. I think we had a great test a few weeks ago and with how well we’ve been running each week, I believe that success will continue for my team. The guys have been working so hard back at the shop and hopefully we can reward everyone with another strong run at Columbus and challenge for the win.”
Scott Heckert…The 20-year-old looks to put New Hampshire in the rearview mirror heading into this weekend’s JEGS 150 at Columbus. Heckert brought home a 25th-place finish at New Hampshire, but looks to use previous experience at Columbus to his advantage. The Conn. native has one career start at Columbus, coming in 2013 when he finished 17th. Heckert sits 13th in the NKNPSE Driver Point Standings heading into this weekend’s race at Columbus Motor Speedway.
Scott Heckert on this weekend at Columbus:
“Coming off a disappointing finish a week ago at New Hampshire I’m really anticipating a strong run this weekend at Columbus. We were extremely fast at the test session a few weeks ago, and I know the No. 34 Project Lifesaver Chevrolet is going to be up towards the front all race long.”
Ben Rhodes…The NASCAR Next driver heads into Columbus looking to start a new streak, as his run for the NKNPSE winning streak record ended at four a week ago in New Hampshire. Rhodes looks to return to winning ways as the 17-year-old gets set for his first-career start at Columbus in the NKNPSE. Despite the 22nd-place finish at New Hampshire a week prior, the Ky. native still leads the NKNPSE Driver Point Standings by 62 points heading into this weekend’s JEGS 150.
Ben Rhodes on Columbus Motor Speedway:
“I am ready for Columbus. I tested there recently with my Turner Scott Motorsports team and learned a lot about the track. My crew chief Mark McFarland and I tried many different setups to get tuned in to the different weather and temperature conditions that we might face in the race. My whole Alpha team is ready to head to Ohio and race Saturday.”
Cameron Hayley…Hayley enters the JEGS 150 coming off a 15th-place finish at New Hampshire last weekend. The 17-year-old looks to build upon a tenacious race, in which the No. 98 Cabinets by Hayley team fought hard through two flat tires to come home 15th. Hayley looks to avoid those troubles this weekend at Columbus as he gets set for his first NKNPSE at Columbus. Hayley sits third in the NKNPSE Driver Point Standings heading into the JEGS 150.
Cameron Hayley on Columbus Motor Speedway:
“It was a frustrating day for the No. 98 Cabinets by Hayley team at New Hampshire last weekend, but I think we’re going to be really fast at Columbus. My crew chief Mardy Lindley and the entire No. 98 team are going to get a fast Chevy underneath us and hopefully we can take care of the car, run in the top five and compete for the win.”
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