(Photo: Rico Abreu during action at Knoxville Raceway – Frank Smith Photo Credit)
Abreu finishes second during Knoxville Nationals preliminary, qualifies for Knoxville Nationals A-main
Date: Thursday, August 9th
Event: 58th annual Knoxville Nationals Preliminary Night
Series: World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series
Track: Knoxville Raceway (Knoxville, Iowa)
Rico Abreu A-Main Finish (Start): 2nd (2nd)
Date: Saturday, August 11th
Event: 58th annual Knoxville Nationals Finals
Series: World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series
Track: Knoxville Raceway (Knoxville, Iowa)
Rico Abreu A-Main Finish (Start): 24th (13th)
ST. HELENA, Calif. (August 13, 2018) – Rico Abreu’s August campaign continued to prove successful, padding his recent $20,000 Ironman 55 victory at Federated Auto Parts Raceway at I-55 with an A-main start during Knoxville Nationals competition at Knoxville Raceway. The true pinnacle of sprint car racing – the sport’s Super Bowl – Abreu qualified for the world’s biggest sprint car event by way of runner-up finish during Knoxville Nationals preliminary competition on Thursday, August 9. The Knoxville Nationals finale, a 50-lap program awarding a $150,000 top prize on August 11, featured 25 of the world’s best; Abreu was scored 24th.
“The last two weeks have been season-altering for us,” Abreu explained, driver of the Rico Abreu Racing/Abreu Vineyards/Alpinestars/Lucas Oil/Rhino Wipe/Priority Aviation/No. 24 sprint car. “To go from an Ironman victory to qualifying for the Knoxville Nationals A-main is pretty awesome. We certainly struggled during the early parts of the season, but this has certainly altered our attitudes for the better. I can’t say enough about this race team and what they are capable of doing. They never give up. They are mentally strong and keep pushing even when things get bad. I owe all of my recent successes to them.”
With Knoxville Nationals preliminary points setting Saturday night’s line-up, Abreu started the 50-lapper from the inside of row seven. Unfortunately, the St. Helena, Calif., native was cut short of any top-ten potential, actually forced to retire after the turn three and four cushion got the best of the familiar No. 24 sending Abreu for a wild ride. Abreu walked away from the incident unharmed.
“It wasn’t how we wanted to end our Nationals run, but that stuff happens. At least we were right there battling for a top-ten spot,” Abreu continued, who has now qualified for three consecutive Knoxville Nationals A-mains. “I was racing as hard as I could. On a stage that like, you can’t wait around. Regardless, we’re proud of our accomplishments and excited to move down the road.”
Rico Abreu’s upcoming plans will be determined in the coming days. Those interested should stay tuned online via Rico Abreu Racing social media.
SOCIAL MEDIA:
Fans are encouraged to follow Rico Abreu online, as well as on all of the available social media networks.
Rico Abreu: Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/RicoAbreuRacing, Twitter at https://twitter.com/rico_abreu, or on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/rico_abreu/
Rico Abreu Racing: http://www.ricoabreu.com/
| 2018 Rico Abreu Statistics: (thru August 13, 2018) |
| Total Races: 53 |
| Total Wins: 1 |
| Total Top-5s: 7 |
| Total Top-10s: 21 |
| **Stats only reflect starts in RAR #24 Sprint Car |
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CONTACT:
Tyler Altmeyer
Rico Abreu Racing
(724) 954-4915, altmeyer119@gmail.com