Battling Loose at Blanket Hill: A Gritty Night for the 81 Car

Saturday night racing at Blanket Hill Speedway never fails to test both driver and machine, and this past weekend was no exception for the DSR and SSR teams. With track conditions shifting and a loose car to wrestle with, the night turned into a true test of patience and adaptability.

Heat Race: Fighting the Setup

After a pill draw placed Dominic in P4 for Heat #1, the team made a last-minute call to tweak the setup on the #81 car. The track surface looked a bit different than usual, tackier than expected, and the adjustment was aimed at keeping pace.

At the drop of the green, Dominic settled into fourth, holding strong for several laps. But as the laps clicked away, the car began to loosen up. A spin in turns 1 and 2 brought out the caution, sending Dominic to the back for a single-file restart with just two laps left. Fighting a car that didn’t want to stick, he managed to claw back one spot and crossed the line in P6.

The Feature: Climbing, Spinning, and Fighting Back

Starting 11th in the feature meant Dominic had his work cut out for him. The green flag waved, and it was clear the adjustments helped, though the #81 still had a hint of looseness in the corners.

Early cautions shuffled the field, and Dominic used the restarts to his advantage, quickly climbing into the top 9. But coming out of turn 4, the #81 stepped out, this time with contact from behind.

Somehow, Dominic saved the car, never stopping completely, and kept going. Although a car that was behind him would also spin out and stop, which brought the caution flag out. The officials still sent Dominic to the rear for the restart. Which meant we would restart in P10. Despite the setback, Dominic dug deep, methodically working his way forward through multiple cautions.

There was a lot of rubbing in this race, but it was all just racing and we do not race dirty! By the closing laps, the #81 had climbed as high as sixth, before finally bringing it home in P7. Not the ideal finish, but a performance that showed resilience and determination.

Trackside Takeaways

Setup decisions matter: Track prep threw the team a curveball, and the gamble on changes before the heat didn’t quite pay off.
Dominic’s car control is sharp: The save in turn 4 and avoiding multiple cautions kept our night alive and prevented a DNF.
Consistency in adversity: Despite being sent to the back, Dominic clawed back valuable positions.

Appreciation Lap

We’re proud the team’s never-give-up spirit at Blanket Hill Speedway. Every lap brings lessons, and every race night is another chance to grow stronger together, regardless of the pit drama.

A huge thank-you goes out to our fans and supporters who continue to cheer us on through the ups and downs of this first-generation racing journey. We couldn’t do this without your encouragement and trackside support!

See you at the next one!

Photos: Prymak Photography