Reutzel Lives Out Dream Season in 2015 – Captures $60,000 ASCS National Title
CLUTE, Texas (December 18, 2015) – The 2015 season is one that Clute, Texas, racer Aaron Reutzel won’t soon forget. Nor will anyone who witnessed any of his exploits along the way.
The year started off on a strong note with the driver of the Shark-powered BC Fundz/Basic One Services No. 87 Triple X Sprint Car capturing his first career 410-ci win in the final leg of Cocopah Speedway’s Winter Challenge series.
The momentum carried on from there with Reutzel picking off another pair of Florida wins in February aboard the Wren Motorsports/Momentum Racing Suspensions machine. Those two were the first of seven overall Lucas Oil ASCS National Tour wins on a season that culminated with Reutzel and crew chief Don Grable capturing the $60,000 series title.
“We accomplished nearly everything we set out to do this season,” Reutzel comments. “The only goal we didn’t reach was that we wanted to win eight ASCS National races and we ended up with seven, including the Short Track Nationals night at I-30 Speedway in October.”
Still, with seven of his twelve overall wins coming in ASCS National Tour action, the season could be deemed nothing but a success for Reutzel and the Dissolvealloy Frac Ball Revolution team.
Along with the ASCS title worth $60K, Reutzel also hooked up with the California-based Dennis and Theresa Roth Motorsports No. 83 team for a couple of West Coast weekends in July and then a trip to Iowa’s cornfields in August.
The pairing was a good one, with Reutzel scoring an $11,000 victory in Tulare’s “Peter Murphy Classic” and then earning “Rookie of the Year” honors at the prestigious Knoxville Nationals.
“It was a dream season for sure,” Reutzel says. “We couldn’t have really hoped for much more.”
The Lucas Oil ASCS National title was at the forefront throughout for Reutzel and the Danny Sander Construction/ButlerBuilt team. Reutzel burst out of the gates quickly with a pair of Florida wins and a runner-up finish in East Bays “King of 360’s” event to take the early points lead.
Reutzel added another handful of wins over the rest of tour including triumphs at Salina, KS, on June 19, Great Falls, MT, on July 17, Gillette, WY, on July 22, a $10,000 “High Roller” score at Sedalia, MO, on August 23 and then I-30 Speedway’s “Sprint Screamer” in Little Rock, AR, on October 29.
Even the best of times are occasionally interrupted by some tough times, though. And this was no exception, with long-time supporter and family friend Bob Miller passing away in June.
Reutzel opted to miss one race on the National Tour to attend Miller’s celebration of life, surrendering the series points lead in the process, albeit very briefly.
Reutzel rebounded with an emotional win at Salina, KS, the following weekend to recapture a points lead that he would never lose grip of.
“That was a tough one,” Reutzel recalls. “There were some ups and downs along the way, and that was definitely the toughest. It felt so great to get that win for Bob.”
Finishing off the season with 18 top-fives and 26 top-tens in 32 ASCS National feature starts, Reutzel and the Lone Star Hydro Maintenance/Wright Way Logistics team ultimately took the title with a 49 point advantage over second place.
“That was priority number one for sure, if feels great to have achieved that,” Reutzel comments. “So many things have to go right along the way and you have to be prepared, it feels good to know that we were able to do it.”
Then toss in some 410-ci exploits as well including a pair of wins and a strong Rookie effort at the Knoxville Nationals and an already great season becomes truly spectacular.
“We didn’t have any specific goals with the 410 because we didn’t really know how much opportunity we would have to race with them,” Reutzel says. “I didn’t know if we would be able to even race at the Knoxville Nationals, it was great to get the Rookie award and I can’t thank Dennis and Theresa (Roth) for that opportunity.”
Twelve wins and a $60,000 Lucas Oil ASCS National championship later, Aaron Reutzel is now a familiar name on the national scene.
What a year it was, what a year…
2015 Quick Stats: 69 races, 12 wins, 31 top fives, 43 top-tens.
Up Next: Cocopah Speedway’s “Winter Heat” series for 410-ci Sprint Cars in Yuma, AZ, on January 1, 2, 5, 8 and 9.
Keep Track: Keep track of Aaron Reutzel’s on-track action including schedule and results at http://www.aaronreutzelracing.
If you would like Aaron Reutzel Racing press releases e-mailed directly to you, send your e-mail address to Lonnie Wheatley at lonniewheatley@gmail.com.
Penning the recurring series of “The Wheatley Chronicles” articles on www.sprintcarmania.com, Lonnie Wheatley provides media, public relations and more for select tracks, drivers and events. For more information, Wheatley may be contacted at lonniewheatley@gmail.com.
Sources: Lonnie Wheatley, Aaron Reutzel PR