GRIDLEY, California — Quintin Crye earned another top-ten in his young NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Western Late Model career, Saturday, at All American Speedway in Roseville, Calif.
Saturday’s performance marked Crye’s best yet in a stock car, after transitioning from dirt USAC Western Midgets to asphalt Late Models in 2009.
The 19 year-old was the 2007 USAC Western Midget Rookie of the Year.
“This was a great night for us,” Crye said. “We are continuing to improve every time we get to the track and I’m really excited about the future.”
Crye came out of the gate with his best qualifying lap of the season, a 13.316 lap around the three tenths mile oval. The effort placed him 14th out of 18 entrants. Improvements made to the Rueda Racing Chevrolet, led by crew chief Robert Snow, were starting to show their mark.
Crye fell back to 11th at the beginning of the first 44 lap feature, before tangling with fellow rookie driver Jacob Gomes and going to the rear of the field.
It took Crye just three laps to navigate the field and move back into ninth position. After being passed by track points leader Jason Romero on lap 14, Crye maintained tenth position all the way to the finish.
In the race he turned his best career lap around Roseville, a 14.211 second mark.
After making minor repairs to the nose of the car, Crye returned to the track for the second 44 lap feature. Handling and mechanical problems plagued him after running as high as seventh, and he was forced to settle for a 12th place finish.
Crye’s efforts on Saturday were supported by Rueda Racing, Hybrid Haven, Blakesley Sports Media, Turtle Wax, NGK Spark Plugs / Art of Fast, K&N Filters, JE Pistons, JAZ Products, Gary Morgan Graphics, Tires Les Schwab, Oakley, ISC Racer’s Tape, Butlerbuilt seats, Pioneer Auto Body, and JME Motorsports.
Additional sponsorship and marketing opportunities are available by contacting Steven Blakesley at (916) 316-4854.
Quintin Crye Racing is online at www.cryeracing.com
