(Photo: Ryan Smith looks on during All Star meeting – Dan/SprintFun Photo)
Western Australia Speedweek and Chili Bowl Nationals ahead for Ryan Smith
By Fully Injected Motorsports:
PERTH, Australia (December 19, 2017) – The “Kunkletown Kid” Ryan Smith will stay active during the winter months, first tackling five events in Western Australia between December 26 and January 6, all before making a last-minute trek back across the Pacific Ocean for the Chili Bowl Nationals in Tulsa, Oklahoma. For Smith, the trip Down Under will be a first-ever for the 2017 Arctic Cat All Star runner-up, joining Kendrick Racing for five races in 11 days at three different facilities.
“Earning the opportunity to drive a sprint car in Australia is something I’ve been working toward since I started. I’m excited to finally have that chance,” Ryan Smith said. “I can’t thank Kendrick Racing and the entire team enough for this opportunity. I’m sure it will take some time to get acclimated with the equipment and race tracks, but we’re going to work as hard as we can and push for solid results.”
Smith will take part in the USA vs Western Australia Speedweek during his visit to Australia’s west coast, entering events at Perth Motorplex (December 26 and January 1), Avon Valley Speedway (December 27), and Quit Bunbury Speedway (December 30, January 6).
With little time to spare, Smith will leave Western Australia on January 7, ultimately flying into Tulsa, Oklahoma, where he will join car owner, Sarah Fisher, and teammate, Joey Saldana, for the Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Midget Nationals at River Spirit Expo Center. Smith is certainly no stranger to Chili Bowl Nationals competition, highlighting recent Chili Bowl starts with a 13th place finish during the first of two finale B-mains a year ago. Well over 300 entries will make the call once again in 2018.
“I’ve been close, so I think we have it in us to make the big dance,” Smith continued about the Chili Bowl, which will take over racing headlines from January 8-13. “It’s a big deal, definitely one of dirt’s biggest stages. I’m privileged to be able to race for Sarah Fisher, and have Joey Saldana as a teammate. Hopefully we can get rolling right away and set ourselves up during our qualifying night. I’m excited to get there.”
Fans are encouraged to stay up to date with everything Ryan Smith at his official online home: www.ryansmithracing.com. Be sure to also follow Ryan Smith on all of the available social media networks including Twitter: @RyanSmithRacing and Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RyanSmith.TheKunkletownKid/?ref=br_rs
2017 Highlights: Finished fourth during All Star competition at Wayne County (OH) Speedway on July 1. During Pennsylvania Sprint Speedweek, Ryan Smith finished fourth at Hagerstown (MD) Speedway, sixth at Williams Grove Speedway and tenth at Selinsgrove Speedway, each for Coldren Motorsports. Charged from 24th to fifth during Kings Royal main event on July 15. Earned a trio of top-ten finishes during 2017 I-79 Summer Shootout; fifth at Eriez (PA) Speedway, ninth at Tri-City Raceway Park (Hard Charger), and fifth at Pittsburgh’s Pennsylvania Motor Speedway. Earned pair of All Star top five finishes at Outlaw Speedway (first) and Orange County Fair Speedway (ninth) on July 28-29. Finished 11th during inaugural Great Lakes Dirt Nationals at Mansfield (OH) Motor Speedway. Finished second during All Star action at Grandview Speedway on Thursday, August 17. Earned a pair of top-ten finishes in Ohio on September 2-3; eighth during Ohio Sprint Speedweek make-up event at Attica Raceway Park, followed by a seventh place finish during Pete Jacobs Memorial at Wayne County Speedway. Earned two top-ten finishes during Tuscarora 50 weekend at Port Royal (PA) Speedway; 10th on Friday and second during 50th Annual Tuscarora 50 finale. Earned back-to-back top-ten finishes on September 16-17 including an eighth place finish during the Jim Nace Memorial at Selinsgrove Speedway/ninth place finish at Bedford Fairgrounds Speedway. Finished ninth at Wayne County (OH) Speedway on Saturday, October 7. Swept Double Down at Mansfield (OH) Motor Speedway on Friday, October 13; won both features. Finished seventh during #LastCallForMethanol at Eldora Speedway. Finished 10th during World of Outlaws World Finals at The Dirt Track at Charlotte to end 2017 season.
2017 All Star Wins: 3 (1 at Outlaw [NY] Speedway; 2 at Mansfield [OH] Motor Speedway)
2017 Stats: Earned 29 top-ten finishes in 46 Arctic Cat All Star starts. Ended year second in Arctic Cat All Star driver standings.
Ryan Smith Racing would like to thank all of their marketing partners including: The Warko Group/Auto Electric of Jupiter, FL/Rick’s Auto Body/Trent Gower Photography/Specialty Rigging/HP Engines/X-1 Race Cars/S&S Speedways/Quality Roofing Supply Company, Inc./C&B Chubby/Vahlco Wheels/GLT Electrical/Thunder on the Hill Racing Series/Armbruster Racing Photos
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