FUEL Premier Series Kentucky Program

McQuistion Opens Season With Daytona Win

Travis McQuistion won an action packed season opening Firelight eSports 150 at Daytona. The 60 lap distance saw a lead change nearly every three laps, but Rob Ackley was at the front the most leading a race high 28 circuits. With only two caution periods, the vast majority of the race ran under green flag conditions. A well run race turned to chaos with one to go, seeing two separate crashes altering the finish order. First, a large incident in turn three saw multiple cars fall towards the back of the pack. Finally, race winner McQuistion and runner-up Justin Muncill made netcode contact heading to the line. McQuinstion crossed the line .020 ahead of Muncill. Ackley, Jon Schwartz, and Thomas Bressi completed the top five.

Ackley Uses Daytona To Sieze Early Points Lead

With points on-order from qualifying through the Duels and Race, Daytona offered the opportunity to make some early ground in the quest for the FUEL Premier Series Championship. Rob Acvkley easily was the biggest beneficiary of this, with a total of 23 bonus points to go along with the 41 points for his third place finish.Brian Young also saw a big win in the bonus points category, picking up 18 extra markers over the course of the night. Entering Kentucky, Ackley holds an eight point lead over Justin Muncill, followed by Brian Young, Travis McQuistion, and Alex Vecellio. With less than a race separating the top 25, big swings are sure to happen after the Bagged Milk 180.

Wengerd Steps In For Logan At DIR

Boomer Logan has been forced from his ride at Domination Intimidation Racing by a shoulder injury, opening a vacancy that will be filled by FUEL Premier Series rookie contender Brandon Wengerd. Wengerd said of the opportunity, “I’m apart of a 8 time championship winning team and I hope to improve with my new team for the rest of the season and future to come.” With a long history of success in the FUEL Premier Series, picking a replacement for Logan wasn’t an easy decision. Team driver Michael Strohl said, “Brandon is a good pickup because I see better qualities in him than just a good sim racer. DIR wants to help people grow, and with Boomer being out, he asked to work with us this season so the timing was right. We look forward to capturing the team championship and more this season.” Based on the statements from both team and driver, it was Wengerd who approached DIR about joining up with the team. From the looks of things, Wengerd moves into a powerhouse team and the resources that come with it; while DIR gets a solid development driver to work with over the course of the season. Sounds like a win for everyone involved.

Contingency Awards From Daytona

Nerdy as Hell Podcast Rookie of the Race – Justin Mincill (Finished 2nd)

Primate Pest Control Hard Charger – Gael Brooks (23 Positions Gained)

Chance3 Design Shop Pole Award – Rob Ackley

Kentucky Race Notes
Race 2 of 16

Race #100 in Series History

Race #3 at Kentucky
Race #2 at Current Scan

Neither previous race winner at Kentucky is on the entry list for tonight’s race.

The Series averages 3.5 cautions per race, which totals out to roughly 12-16 laps under caution per event. As an oddity, one race went caution free, while the last race saw 7 cautions.

Kentucky is often competitive at the front, with an average of 8.5 lead changes per race.

Kentucky Track Facts

Opened: 2000

Turns: 4
Turn 1-2 Banking: 17 deg
Turn 3-4 Banking: 14 deg
Tri-Oval Banking: 8-10 deg

FUEL Premier Series Track Record: Nicholas Johnston – 30.939 174.537 mph

Previous Winners:
Jeff Ward, Nick Indelicato