HScott Motorsports with Justin Marks NASCAR K&N Pro Series East Post Race Report: Virginia International Raceway

 

Haley came into the Biscuitville 125 looking to score another solid top five in this third road course race of 2015. The 16-year-old qualified in the third position for the event. As the race began, Haley showed early on the speed within the No. 5 Braun Auto Chevrolet. At the halfway portion of the race, Haley ran in the eighth position. The Indiana native conserved his stuff and began to make his move forward in the second half of the race. On lap 46, Haley jumped to the front of the pack pulling in front of HSMJM teammate Scott Heckert. Haley led six circuits around VIR, until the red flag was displayed on lap 46 for an incident in Turn 1. On the restart, Haley lost the lead and was involved in an incident that pushed him slightly off track. He was able to continue on, but fell to the ninth position. A rash of cautions in the race’s closing laps allowed Haley to make back some of the spots lost and get back up to fifth, where he would eventually finish. Haley sits sixth in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East (NKNPSE) Driver Point Standings heading into Richmond International Raceway in a few weeks.

 

“What a day at VIR; we definitely had a Braun Auto Chevrolet that was capable of getting the win tonight and unfortunately things just didn’t go our way. Even though we didn’t win, we still showed our speed and what this entire HScott Motorsports with Justin Marks team is capable of. It was cool to lead laps and I’m looking forward to getting to Richmond and having another good showing.”

 

Sargeant entered the Biscuitville 125 looking to get into the win column for the first time in the NKNPSE. Sargeant began the race in the fifth position in the GALT Chevrolet. Sargeant took his time moving through the field early on, knowing there would be several cautions in the event. On lap 39, Sargeant moved passed teammate Heckert and held the top spot for the next six laps. At the halfway portion of the race, Sargeant sat in the fourth position and looked poised to make another run for the lead. When the race resumed, Sargeant held strong inside the top five. The NASCAR Next driver was able to survive a rash of late cautions in the event and take the lead for the second time on lap 60, under green/white/checker conditions. Unfortunately, Sargeant went off track heading into Turn 1 and had to settle for a ninth-place finish. Sargeant enters Richmond sitting fourth in the NKNPSE Driver Point Standings.

 

“It was a tough day for us in the end at VIR. We definitely didn’t get the result that this HScott Motorsports with Justin Marks No. 51 GALT team deserved. We had a great car all day long and it was exciting to be able to get out front and lead some laps throughout the day. While it wasn’t the result we wanted, we continue to show how strong this team is, and I look forward to our final two races of the season at Richmond and Dover and hopefully getting the No. 51 into victory lane.”

 

Byron came into VIR looking to maintain his points lead in the final road course event of 2015. The NASCAR Next driver began the race in the seventh position and ran strong inside the top 10 throughout the day. At the midway portion of the race, Byron sat fifth in the Liberty University Chevrolet. When the race resumed, Byron continued to battle, running in and around the top five. During several late-race cautions, Byron ran as high as third. On the final green/white/checker restart, the NKNPSE points leader suffered damage from another competition, which hurt the front end of the No. 9. Byron was able to continue on, but not at full speed. The North Carolina native finished the race even with the damage, ultimately bringing home a 10th-place finish. With two races left, Byron continues to lead the NKNPSE Driver Point Standings by 15 points over teammate Scott Heckert.

 

“Today was a crazy race overall. I’m happy we were able to salvage a top-10 run even though I know this team deserves more than that. It’s unfortunate we got caught up in that incident like we did, but with these restarts it’s hard to predict where everyone is going to go and sometimes stuff like that just happens. I’m so proud of everyone on this Liberty University HScott Motorsports with Justin Marks team and how hard they work week in and week out. I’m already looking forward to Richmond in a couple of weeks.”

 

Heckert entered the Biscuitville 125 looking to make it four in a row in the NKNPSE on road courses. The day started strong for the 21-year-old as Heckert picked up his fifth career Coors Light Pole award and second straight at VIR. As the race began, the Connecticut native showed the speed of the No. 34 Project Lifesaver Chevrolet, pulling out to a commanding lead and holding the top spot for 36 laps overall, the most on the day. At the halfway break, Heckert held the top spot and looked poised to bring home another solid finish, if not a victory at VIR. On lap 48, Heckert could feel an issue within his racecar. On his way towards pit road, the No. 34 suffered from a right-rear tire problem. This caused Heckert and the No. 34 to retire from the event, ending their day in the 15th position. Heckert remains second in the NKNPSE Driver Point Standings heading into Richmond in a couple weeks.

 

“That’s a tough way to end our day today at VIR. This was one of the best cars I’ve ever had on a road course and these guys at HScott Motorsports with Justin Marks did a great job giving me a good piece. I wish it would’ve ended in a positive note for us, but that just wasn’t meant to be. Even though our day didn’t end how we’d like we are still in this championship battle and we are going to give it all we have heading into Richmond and Dover.”

 

Abreu entered the Biscuitville 125 looking to continue upon the experience gained at Watkins Glen earlier this season. This marked just the second time that Abreu has raced on a road course in NKNPSE competition. As the race began, Abreu started in the eighth position. Early on, Abreu looked to log laps and further expand his knowledge of road course racing. On lap 10, Abreu lost power to his No. 98 GoPro Motorplex/AccuDoc Solutions/Curb Records machine and it forced NASCAR to throw the caution flag. Abreu received a push from the tow-truck under yellow, bringing the No. 98 down pit road to the attention of his crew. The crew quickly went to work assessing the issue at hard, which turned out to be the battery. The HSMJM team was able to fix the problem and get Abreu back on track, however, he lost three laps to the leaders in the process. Abreu continued on until lap 34, when the No. 98 had a right-rear tire issue, sending him into the tire barriers and ultimately ending his day early in the 16th position. Abreu sits seventh in the NKNPSE Driver Point Standings heading into Richmond.

 

“That wasn’t the result we were looking for coming into the day today at VIR. Unfortunately, we had a couple things go against us like the battery and tire issue that hindered our ability to run up there with the leaders. I think we had a good No. 98 GoPro Motorplex/AccuDoc Solutions/Curb Records Chevrolet, and when the race began I was really just looking to log some laps and gain more experience in this type of racing. However, fate had something else in mind. I can’t thank my guys at HScott Motorsports with Justin Marks enough; they work so hard to bring us fast racecars every weekend, and I’m looking forward to getting to Richmond in a couple of weeks.”