Taking on a New Track in Pennsylvania
With Blanket Hill Speedway off this past Saturday, we didn’t want to lose valuable seat time heading into the final stretch of the season. Instead, the team made the trip to Hamlin Speedway in Moscow, Pennsylvania, a track we had never raced before. Not knowing exactly what to expect, the plan was to start fresh with the #81 car setup and make adjustments as Dominic needed throughout the night.
Early Laps and Heat Race Action
Unlike the week prior, we had the chance to get hot laps in. After bringing the car back to the trailer, Dominic reported that only a couple of minor adjustments were needed to loosen things up.
With our draw, we would start near the back of Heat #2. Facing a talented field of local drivers, Dominic finished toward the rear of the pack but showed steady progress, getting more comfortable with each lap. Back at the trailer, he only asked for a few small tweaks, confidence was building.
Feature Race Debut at Hamlin Speedway
Lining up P7 out of 11 cars in the feature, Dominic was ready for more laps at the tricky Hamlin track. The race stayed mostly clean, with only a single caution flag slowing the field. Similar to the heat race, Dominic found more rhythm each time around the track.
When the checkered flag flew, he brought the #81 home in P9. While we gave up two positions from our starting spot, the real win was Dominic’s growing confidence at a brand-new venue in a new car.
A Bonus Rookie Feature Opportunity
Just when we thought the night was over, the team was given the chance for Dominic to run in Hamlin Speedway’s Rookie Feature. The only catch: he had to start at the tail of the field.
While preparing for this second run, Dominic and Scott noticed the pedals in the #81 were too far forward, making things more difficult for him inside the cockpit. With time running short, we went old-school with some quick adjustments to get him race-ready.
Rolling off P11 out of 11, Dominic wasted no time once the green flag dropped. He quickly picked off cars, showing determination and speed. By the end of the race, Dominic had worked his way up to an impressive 6th-place finish, capping off a valuable night of seat time at Hamlin Speedway.
Trackside Takeaways
- Seat Time Over Everything: Every lap counts as we head into the final part of the season. The trip to Hamlin gave Dominic valuable experience on a new track.
- Progress in Every Race: While the results sheet doesn’t show a podium, Dominic’s confidence and feel for the car improved with every lap.
- Rookie Feature Momentum: Starting in the back and racing up to P6 was a huge confidence booster heading into the next weekend.
Appreciation Lap
A huge thank you to Hamlin Speedway for welcoming us to their track for the first time.
Gratitude goes out to Scott Scholl for helping dial in the #81 setup and working with Dominic on car adjustments throughout the night.
See you at the next one!
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Photos: ReflexX Photography & Dominic Slesinski
Dominic Slesinski Racing 