Veteran driver Tom Hessert returned to the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards making just his third season start during Sunday’s Herr’s Potato Chip 100 on the Springfield dirt mile.
Hessert, winner of last season’s ARCA dirt race at the DuQuoin Magic Mile had his sights set on a repeat performance. Showing no signs of rust the six-time series winner qualified fourth behind the wheel of his No.25 Musselman’s Big Cup Apple Sauce Toyota.
Maintaining solid track position and playing pit strategy Hessert would be among a small group of cars pitting early during the second caution of the day for tires and fuel. Hoping to use pit strategy in his favor Hessert would drive his Musselman’s backed Toyota inside the top-5 with less than 40 laps remaining in Sunday’s main event.
Hessert’s good fortunes wouldn’t last as he was forced to bring his machine down pit road under green flag conditions with just 34-laps remaining. With the hood up Hessert’s crew went to work to diagnose and remedy the issue. Hessert would return to the track several laps down and salvage his day with a 14th place finish.
“It was a tough day – the car was getting better as the race went on and we made it into the top-five before suspension issues put us several laps down late,” said Hessert. “It felt good to be back at the track – but obviously it wasn’t the day or finish we were hoping for. We’ve got two more starts to make some noise – I’ll be back in the Musselman’s Big Cup Apple Sauce Toyota at DuQuoin and Salem Speedway to try it again.”
Hessert will return to action Labor Day weekend to defend last season’s victory at the DuQuoin State Fairgrounds Magic Mile and again at Salem Speedway on September 9 – Hessert is also a three-time winner at Salem.
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