Rain may have postponed completion of Port Royal’s River Valley Builders 305 Sprints opening feature, but picking up where JCW Racing left off proved easy for the team. Starting the night with continuing April 2nd’s feature on lap two, team owner and driver Jake Waters racked up another Top 5 finish at the conclusion and kept the streak of fifth place or higher finishes rolling at five and six.
Starting the race in 7th position on the second of 18 laps, Waters immediately took off, setting sights on fifth place. In making a move for the position, the driver admitted he made some small errors, keeping the No. 10 sprint in sixth until three laps to go. On a chaotic restart, the second place car blew a motor and fifth place spun. This brought out the yellow flag on the final lap of the first feature, moving the team up to third place and contention for the win. Ultimately, the team settled for a strong third place finish for the postponed season opener.
Kicking off events leading up to the second feature of the night, Waters and the team took to heat races starting in fifth position. On the start, the driver made a jump to claim second place in two laps. Despite admitting minor errors made on the final lap heading into turn three, Waters settled for a third place finish, lining him up for an eight place start in A Main. At the drop of the green flag, Jake jumped to third place in half of a lap, setting sights on the leaders early. After making minor contact with another car midway through the race, Waters noted the early drive he had slipped away. At the checkers, Waters finished for fifth place, but kept the Top 5 streak alive from 2015’s season ending race.
“Considering we didn’t feel we had a Top 5 car, to finish third is a great accomplishment in the first feature of the season. We think the right rear shock failed in the first race, but overall we were very content with how the night started. In the second feature, we got a great start, but I believe the right rear tire unfortunately sealed over and we just weren’t able to contend for the win the way we wanted to. Hats off to the entire crew for putting us in contention for a win, and to be able to pick up and continue the Top 5 finishing streak to start the season. We have some things to work on going into the next race, but once things fall into place, I feel we’ll be a contender for the W every night.” – Jake Waters
The team plans to take this weekend off, but will return to action Saturday, April 30 at Port Royal Speedway with the PA Sprint Series and River Valley Builders 305 Sprints.
Starting the race in 7th position on the second of 18 laps, Waters immediately took off, setting sights on fifth place. In making a move for the position, the driver admitted he made some small errors, keeping the No. 10 sprint in sixth until three laps to go. On a chaotic restart, the second place car blew a motor and fifth place spun. This brought out the yellow flag on the final lap of the first feature, moving the team up to third place and contention for the win. Ultimately, the team settled for a strong third place finish for the postponed season opener.
Kicking off events leading up to the second feature of the night, Waters and the team took to heat races starting in fifth position. On the start, the driver made a jump to claim second place in two laps. Despite admitting minor errors made on the final lap heading into turn three, Waters settled for a third place finish, lining him up for an eight place start in A Main. At the drop of the green flag, Jake jumped to third place in half of a lap, setting sights on the leaders early. After making minor contact with another car midway through the race, Waters noted the early drive he had slipped away. At the checkers, Waters finished for fifth place, but kept the Top 5 streak alive from 2015’s season ending race.
“Considering we didn’t feel we had a Top 5 car, to finish third is a great accomplishment in the first feature of the season. We think the right rear shock failed in the first race, but overall we were very content with how the night started. In the second feature, we got a great start, but I believe the right rear tire unfortunately sealed over and we just weren’t able to contend for the win the way we wanted to. Hats off to the entire crew for putting us in contention for a win, and to be able to pick up and continue the Top 5 finishing streak to start the season. We have some things to work on going into the next race, but once things fall into place, I feel we’ll be a contender for the W every night.” – Jake Waters
The team plans to take this weekend off, but will return to action Saturday, April 30 at Port Royal Speedway with the PA Sprint Series and River Valley Builders 305 Sprints.