Team Race Chic made their first formal appearance as a sponsor as the 20th Annual Tulsa Shoot Out, with up and coming Kansas native, Chase Austin. After numerous mechanical difficulties, including a blown motor, Chase stayed focused and steadfast in what started out as a very discouraging weekend. Problems from the rented car plagued Austin from the start, yet he was able to drive his way in to the 600c Multi Main Event out of a field of ninety-three cars.
Chase had the crowd on their feet during a battle for the win in his heat race. The young Mr. Austin led the heat for nine laps, until Curtis Jones, from Tulsa, Oklahoma, passed for the lead in turn four on the final lap, resulting in a drag race between Austin and Jones for the checkered flag. Jones overcame Austin for the heat race win by a very short margin.
The second place heat race finish put Chase in the 23rd starting position in the evening's main event. Luck would fade once again as Chase found himself in an ill handling car for the feature, but the determined youngster manhandled his over-hooked, bicycling Micro, to a 20th place finish. "It was a tough weekend, but I still had a lot of fun,” said Chase as the event concluded. "Team Race Chic was a great sponsor. There was a ton of girls walking around here in Race Chic shirts and hats, so that made me feel pretty good,” said Chase. One of the additional highlights of the weekend came when Mitch Faccinto, son of Race Chic owner Debbie Faccinto, won the Main event in the Junior Sprints.
Another bright spot during the weekend was the sale of over 300 "Life is a Team Sport" wrist bands for the Hendrick Marrow Program. Chase, who is a part of Hendrick Motorsports Driver Development Program, teamed up Austin Racing Enterprises staff Member Marci McDaniels, and Team Race Chic, to offer the wristbands during the Shoot Out. Founded in 1997, the Hendrick Marrow program helps add more marrow donors to the national Registry and assist recipients and their families with post-transplant expenses. Wrist bands will continue to be available at the Finish Line booth during the Chili Bowl.
Chase will be featured in an upcoming edition of the magazine, NASCAR Scene as well as a new publication entitled Racing Fan. For more information on Chase visit www.chaseaustin.net. Race Chic products can be purchased by calling 559-585-0900.
