Tyler Ankrum Impresses, Finishes Second at New Smyrna Speedway in Hart to Heart Breast Cancer Foundation 100
Mooresville, N.C. (October 31, 2016) – Tyler Ankrum and the No. 58 iOn Camera, K&N Filters, Performance Racing Warehouse team turned some heads this past weekend, finishing in the second position for the second consecutive race at New Smyrna Speedway. The Hart to Heart Breast Cancer Foundation 100 attracted some of the best drivers in the Southeast, as it was the last chance for teams to compete on the half-mile speedway before the 51st annual Governor’s Cup coming up on November 13.
The weekend began on Friday, October 28 with open practice for the stout super late model field, as the No. 58 iOn Camera, K&N Filters, Performance Racing Warehouse team was able to work through several setups and maintain consistently fast lap times. This long-run speed would come in handy throughout the rest of the weekend’s activities, as the No. 58 team ran the second most recorded laps in the final practice session and after qualifying, would start from the third position.
As the race began, Ankrum utilized his great starting position and was able to stay within the top five positions for the entirety of the 100-lap feature event. After getting shuffled out of the lead pack on a few early restarts, the 15-year-old rookie driver was instructed by crew chief Roger Johnson and famed driver coach Clay Rogers to maintain his position, and not to abuse his four Hoosier tires. Ankrum showed veteran poise as he methodically made his way back up through the field in the final 40 laps, taking advantage of restarts and a well-handling No. 58 machine. With only 15 laps remaining, Ankrum made his way from the fourth position to the second position and never looked back, receiving heavy pressure from 2016 ARCA Series Rookie of the Year, Dalton Sargeant in the final laps. At the end of the 100 lap Hart to Heart Breast Cancer Foundation feature at New Smyrna Speedway, Tyler Ankrum and the No. 58 iOn Camera, K&N Filters, Performance Racing Warehouse team finished in the second position, a mere .86 seconds away from the winner, Stephen Nasse.
Tyler Ankrum:
“A really great night for everyone on this No. 58 iOn Camera, K&N Filters, Performance Racing Warehouse team. Really proud of these guys that work day in and day out on this race team, we’ve really been picking up momentum these past few months and performances like this prove that we can contend for wins. We tried a good amount of different car setups in practice this weekend, really worked on our long run speed with older tires and it helped make us better in the race. We were able to apply the little things we learned during practice this weekend to our already strong performances at New Smyrna Speedway in the past and it showed tonight. We started losing brakes there at the end when I was pushing the car really hard, so I think that’s one area we could improve on and would’ve helped to catch the leader. Overall, this was designed as basically our test for the upcoming Governor’s Cup, I feel like we made yet another step forward and really excited to return here in a few weeks and compete for the win.”
Sources: Tyler Ankrum Racing PR