Saturday night in Bakersfield, CA, Tanner Carrick would rebound from a slow start early in the night and charge from his 20th starting position to pocket a 10th place finish at the November Classic hosted by Bakersfield Speedway.
“We didn’t get timed in very well, but we bounced back and turned it into a pretty good night,” Tanner Carrick said. “I owe it all to the Keith Kunz Motorsports guys for all of their hard work.”
Timing the Spike/TRD/Curb Records backed No. 71K machine in 22nd quick in qualifying time trials, the Lincoln, CA native would record a fourth place finish in his heat race. On a cool November night, a fast racing surface would be presented to the driver’s, and Carrick’s heat race would actually set a New Track Record.
By way of his fourth place finish, Carrick would advance directly to the 30-lap feature event where he would find himself in the 20th starting spot amongst some of California’s best mixed with the star studded USAC National Midget drivers.
The first few laps of the race were a bit rough for some fellow competitors, and being deep in the field, Carrick did a very nice job of staying out of the fray, and keeping his night alive.
When the race got into a groove, Carrick did a nice job during his first visit to Bakersfield Speedway, as he was able to move around on the bullring, and pick up positions in his KKM mount.
As the track continued to change during the 30-lap affair, Carrick was able to adapt as he continued to work his way towards the Top-10. A couple more stoppages towards the end of the race gave Carrick a couple of restart opportunities to gain more ground, and he took full advantage as he was able to work his way into 10th when the checkered flag flew on the feature event.
“To move forward like we did was pretty cool,” Carrick added. “Looking forward to doing it again during my first Turkey Night Grand Prix at Ventura Raceway.”
Tanner Carrick and the Keith Kunz Motorsports team would like to thank TRD, Curb Records, IPC, Walker Performance Filtration, Cemex, CVC, and Shell Shock for their support.
ON TAP: Carrick is now set for the Turkey Night Grand Prix at Ventura Raceway this Wednesday and Thursday night. Carrick will compete in the Tanner Carrick Racing No. 83T non-wing sprint car as well as the Keith Kunz Motorpsorts No. 71k midget.