Danny Holtgraver earns a top ten finish with Bryan Grove Motorsports at Attica Raceway Park.
By Tracy Fry
www.fullyinjected.com
Pittsburgh, PA – Western Pennsylvania hotshoe Danny Holtgraver took advantage of a great opportunity this weekend, and turned some heads while charging from a 20th starting position to finish 6th in the Attica Raceway Park opener last evening. Holtgraver piloted the Bryan Grove Motorsports no. 45 at the Attica season opener; an Ohio based sprint car operation that gave Danny a great opportunity to drive so that both the team, and driver, could prepare for next weekend’s All-Star Circuit of Champions invasion!
“Bryan Grove gave me a call earlier in the week about driving his car” discussed Holtgraver, “So we went out there and got the car ready and did everything we needed to do…the team just kinda allowed us do our own thing and we can’t thank them enough for that!”
Although the evening shaped up to be one of Holtgraver’s finest performances of 2012, the beginning of the night looked as if it was going to be short lived. Issues with the car’s internal components kept the Bryan Grove Motorsports no. 45 off of the track during hot laps; resulting in a missed setup for their respectice heat race. Holtgraver would finish 5th in heat race number three; one spot behind Brad Haudenschild and out of a transfer position. The former Lernerville Speedway Track Champion would then create a turning point in the evening when he made a last lap pass during the program’s B-main to transfer into the 30 lap ‘410’ main event.
It was clear that the ’45’ team had a tough road ahead of them; starting on the outside of row number ten for the 30 lap contest. Holtgraver was able to avoid an early multi-car caution that helped the team move up a few positions for the following restart. The All-Star ‘Ohio Region’ regular passed 14 cars during the Attica Raceway Park opening night ‘410’ feature; making it almost fifteen, but was beat close to the line for fifth position. Holtgraver’s ability to earn a 6th place performance also allowed him to be named the night’s ‘Hard Charger’ – which goes to the driver who passes the most cars. Dale Blaney was the evening’s winner, with Phil Gressman and Lee Jacobs rounding out the podium finishers.
“We were able to avoid a big wreck early that moved us up a couple starting spots on the next restart” explained Holtgraver when asked about his feature performance, “we had some things go our way that needed to be and I drove my butt off…I thought we were fifth but it was close and we were actually scored 6th…but regardless, it was a pretty good night.”
“Bottom line is I want to thank Bryan Grove and all of his sponsors for allowing this to happen…it was a great opportunity!”
Next weekend, the Fully Injected driver will return to the seat of his familiar Kargo Quality Cars ‘D4,’ and travel back to Attica Raceway Park in Attica, Ohio for the two-day “HD Supply Spring Nationals” with the All-Star Circuit of Champions sprint car series. The All-Stars will be invading Attica on Friday and Saturday, April 6th and 7th, with Holtgraver searching for an early Easter gift in the shape of a check. Good Friday’s event will pay $3,000 to the preliminary night winner, with Saturday’s “HD Supply Spring Nationals” finale giving away a $5,000 top prize.
Danny Holtgraver would like to thank all of his marketing partners including: Kargo Sales and Storage, Alternative Power Source, DKW Transport, PPI, Spinneweber Auto Sales, Bastin Truck Parts, West View Motors, Bagleys Auto Service, Frankland Rearends, Dan Taylor Racing, VRP Shocks, Kistler Engines, J&J Chassis, Butlerbuilt Seats, Zerowraps, www.fullyinjected.com.
Stay tuned during the entire season – right here at www.fullyinjected.com / or check out Danny Holtgraver’s online home at www.dannyholtgraver.com!