SUNSET HILLS, Mo. – Sunset Hills native Brad Loyet hopes to hop toward an Easter weekend victory in the United States Auto Club’s National Midget Car Series’ second round Saturday at Thunder Hill Raceway in Kyle, Texas.
Coming off several successful appearances in mini-Sprints, Loyet returns to USAC competition this weekend in the No. 05 Loyet Motorsports Beast/Esslinger, as the series resumes following its opener Feb. 10 at Manzanita Speedway in Phoenix, Ariz. Loyet finished 20th at Manzanita.
“I am looking forward to the race,” said Loyet. “We spent the past couple of weekends getting these cars ready to go, and I am looking forward to running one of our new Esslingers to see how they pull.’
Loyet could be one of the early favorites to win Saturday’s 100-lapper, deemed the Texas Racefest “Allstate Lightning 100” presented by Toyota.
Loyet was a frontrunner throughout last year’s race at the 3/8-mile pavement oval, running in the Top 5 before battery problems forced him to the pits on Lap 34 of the 40-lapper. Despite falling back in the field, a caution allowed his crew to fix the problem, and he surged back to fifth by the checkered flag.
The team recently secured an Esslinger powerplant, one of the top engines from last season, after spending last season with a Pink Ford. Loyet hopes the addition of the Esslinger, and the assistance of Rusty Kunz and Flea Ruzic, acquired during the offseason, tally up to a victory.
“We’re going in to win this one,” Loyet said. “Rusty worked very hard on the car, and it showed when we were running up front at Manzanita. His pavement experience is key, and I think, after our showing last year, we have a good chance to come out on top.”
Dave Steele is the defending USAC winner of Texas Race Fest at Thunder Hill Raceway, an event which was 40 laps last season.
For more information on Brad visit his website at www.bradloyet.com
*****
2007 USAC Results
Feb. 10 Manzanita Speedway Phoenix, Ariz. Finished
– 20/31
Coming off several successful appearances in mini-Sprints, Loyet returns to USAC competition this weekend in the No. 05 Loyet Motorsports Beast/Esslinger, as the series resumes following its opener Feb. 10 at Manzanita Speedway in Phoenix, Ariz. Loyet finished 20th at Manzanita.
“I am looking forward to the race,” said Loyet. “We spent the past couple of weekends getting these cars ready to go, and I am looking forward to running one of our new Esslingers to see how they pull.’
Loyet could be one of the early favorites to win Saturday’s 100-lapper, deemed the Texas Racefest “Allstate Lightning 100” presented by Toyota.
Loyet was a frontrunner throughout last year’s race at the 3/8-mile pavement oval, running in the Top 5 before battery problems forced him to the pits on Lap 34 of the 40-lapper. Despite falling back in the field, a caution allowed his crew to fix the problem, and he surged back to fifth by the checkered flag.
The team recently secured an Esslinger powerplant, one of the top engines from last season, after spending last season with a Pink Ford. Loyet hopes the addition of the Esslinger, and the assistance of Rusty Kunz and Flea Ruzic, acquired during the offseason, tally up to a victory.
“We’re going in to win this one,” Loyet said. “Rusty worked very hard on the car, and it showed when we were running up front at Manzanita. His pavement experience is key, and I think, after our showing last year, we have a good chance to come out on top.”
Dave Steele is the defending USAC winner of Texas Race Fest at Thunder Hill Raceway, an event which was 40 laps last season.
For more information on Brad visit his website at www.bradloyet.com
*****
2007 USAC Results
Feb. 10 Manzanita Speedway Phoenix, Ariz. Finished
– 20/31
