GRIDLEY, Calif — A weekend that began with much promise ended with two unfortunate results for USAC Midget standout Quintin Crye. Crye competed in the prestigious Louie Vermeil Classic, which was staged over Saturday and Sunday of Labor Day Weekend at Calistoga Speedway.
The Napa Valley half-mile clay oval hosted USAC Midget and Sprint Car action for the first time in over a decade, entertaining large crowds and car counts for both days.
Crye opened up the weekend timing in fifth quick out of the eighteen car turnout, with a 21.629 second lap.
The Midgets ran no heats and were thrust straight into a 20 lap feature, with Crye moving up one position before he retired due to a hole in the water line.
Crye came back on the second day hoping to improve on his 13th place finish.
Timing in seventh quick at 21.589, Crye came into the feature aggressively. With high hopes and expectations, Crye began the charge forward before an oil pump failure ended the race prematurely.
The 19 year-old Midget star was forced to settle for a few disappointing runs despite showing great speed in the hot lap and qualifying sessions.
The Lucas Oil-sponsored team will look to try to avoid their previous bad luck when they make their next outing in the dirt Midget ranks.
