Turns Focus to WoO Title Run
Headingley, Manitoba, Canada (01/16/19) – With high anticipations Ricky Weiss made the long trek to FK Rod Ends Arizona Speedway to open his 2019 campaign behind the wheel of his Derrick’s Sandblasting #7w Kakela Farms/ Sweet-Bloomquist Race Car/ Vic Hill Race Engine Super Late Model.
After spending the opening rounds of the 13th annual FK Rod Ends Wild West Shootout tweaking the setup on his new racecar, Weiss hit his marks in the closing rounds. In fact, he won two of the final three events.
“This new Sweet-Bloomquist Race Car is a little different than the one that we had last year, so it took a few races for us to get it dialed in. In addition, as the week went along the track conditions played more to our favor,” Weiss noted. “We had a great car during the Saturday morning show, and once we got out front, we were able to cruise. On Sunday evening Scott (Bloomquist) clearly had the best car, but he got tangled up with that lapped car on the last lap. I really hated that for him, but we were able to capitalize on the situation and get the big win.
“Obviously the 2018 season was huge for us, but I honestly believe 2019 will be even bigger and to get two wins to start the year gives us a lot of confidence.”
Saturday, January 5 saw Ricky Weiss open the 2019 season with the 13th annual Keyser Manufacturing Wild West Shootout at to FK Rod Ends Arizona Speedway (Queen Creek, Arizona). With 45 Super Late Models on hand for the opening round of the six-race miniseries, Ricky laid down the fourth-fastest time in his qualifying group before scoring a third-place finish in his heat race.
Starting the $5,000-to-win opening night feature in 10th, Weiss was collected in a tangle, while battling in the Top 5 on lap 25, that dropped him back to a 22nd-place finish
The racing action scheduled of Sunday, January 6 was preempted by Mother Nature and rescheduled for Saturday, January 12.
Ricky Weiss returned to FK Rod Ends Arizona Speedway (Queen Creek, Arizona) on Wednesday night for the second round of the Keyser Manufacturing Wild West Shootout. In a field of 45 cars, Weiss secured his spot into the $5,000-to-win A-Main with a third-place finish in his heat. Earning the 10th-starting position, Ricky advanced one position in the 30-lapper to record a ninth-place finish.
The following night, Weiss followed up the fourth-fastest time in his qualifying group with a runner-up finish in his heat behind Kyle Beard. Rolling off seventh for the feature Ricky advanced to a sixth-place finish.
On Saturday for the doubleheader, Weiss started the day by posting the fastest time in his group before picking up a 10-lap heat race victory. Overtaking Brandon Sheppard for the lead on lap 8 of the 30-lap feature, Weiss distanced himself from the field in the remaining 22 circuits capturing his first win of the season and a $5,000 payday. Brandon Sheppard, Chris Simpson, Chase Junghans, and Bobby Pierce trailed him to the checkers.
Returning on Saturday night, Ricky secured his spot into the $5,000-to-win A-Main with a runner-up finish in his heat race behind Hudson O’Neal. With $5,000 on the line, Weiss improved one spot to place fourth behind Cade Dillard, Scott Bloomquist, and Hudson O’Neal with Brandon Sheppard rounding out the Top 5.
Wrapping up the 13th edition of the Keyser Manufacturing Wild West Shootout on Sunday, Ricky recorded the third-fastest time in his qualifying group before placing third in his heat. Starting the 50-lap finale in the 11th position, Weiss slowly paced his way to the front and began challenging for a podium finish late.
Inheriting the top spot after the leader, Scott Bloomquist was collected in a wreck on the white flag lap, Ricky held off Brandon Overton in a two-lap shootout to score his second win of the season. Brandon Sheppard, Chase Junghans, and Jimmy Mars completed the Top 5. Weiss claimed a $14,000 payday for his late-race victory.
For more results from the miniseries, please visit www.WildWestShootout.net .
Weiss and his team now turn their attention to the pursuit of the 2019 World of Outlaws Morton Buildings Late Model Series Rookie of the Year title and championship. Action opens with a pair of $10,000-to-win events on February 8-9 during the annual winter Freeze at Screven Motor Speedway (Sylvania, Georgia).
For more information on the events, please visit www.WoOLMS.com .
Ricky Weiss would like to thank his marketing partners and sponsors including Derrick's Sandblasting, Kakela Farms, G-Style Transport, Collins Brothers Trucking, Winkler Canvas, A.I.E. Bell Mobility, Sweet Bloomquist Race Cars, RDW Recycling, Keewatin Truck Service, Team Red Line Graphix, Penske Racing Shocks, Turk Enterprises, Hawkeye Construction, Vic Hill Race Engines, Mark Brandt Trucking, Fastenal, Schaeffer’s Racing Oil, Go Lithium Batteries, Straight Ahead Ventures Inc., Allied Roofing Inc., FK Rod Ends, Metalz in Motion, FastShafts, Beyea Custom Headers, Arizona Sport Shirts, Base Fuels, Wilwood, Swift Springs, and MSRMafia.com Marketing Services.
For more information on Ricky Weiss please visit his website at www.WeissRacing7.com .
Ben Shelton, Owner
MSR Mafia Marketing Services – www.MSRmafia.com
Midsouth Racing Scene – www.MidSouthRacing.com
