CULPEPER, Virginia — 16 year-old Eli Schrock guided his Ron Sutton's Winner’s Circle Ford Focus Midget to victory Saturday night at Havasu 95 Speedway in Lake Havasu, AZ.
The event was Schrock’s debut appearance on asphalt and his first race with Ron Sutton’s Winner’s Circle. Schrock earned a spot on the team after a strong performance in the driver shootout last fall.
16 USAC Ford Focus Midgets packed the pits for the season openers for the Western Pavement, SoCal Pavement, and Utah regional points series. Schrock is slated to compete in the entire 2010 USAC Ford Focus SoCal Pavement Series.
The two-time dirt karting champion Schrock qualified sixth out of 16 entrants with a 15.287 lap. Schrock opened up the evening’s racing action by winning the trophy dash. Driving the Woodwork Manufacturing & Supply Midget, Schrock led all but the first lap in the 40 lap feature before a late race challenge from teammate Bobby Runyan.
Runyan made a move to the inside on Schrock that set up a four lap side-by-side duel. Schrock and Runyan battled hard to the stripe before Schrock broke through for the victory.
“This kid is a race car driver!” exclaimed Ron Sutton, head of driver development. “He was impressive in the national talent search, but to come out and win the trophy dash and main event in his first race is unheard of. We’re excited to see what the rest of the year brings.”
Schrock will now take his victory and points lead into this Saturday’s race at I-10 Speedway in Blythe, Calif. The race will again be a combination event with the Utah regional and is expected to draw another full field.
Eli Schrock and Ron Sutton’s Winner’s Circle are supported by: Strawn Contracting, Bertz Law Offices, Woodwork Manufacturing & Supply, K&N Filters, Scribner Plastics, Allstar Performance, Inventory Sales Company, Sunoco Race Fuels and Star Racing Supply.
Race fans can learn more about Eli Schrock Racing at his brand-new website at www.elischrock.com
For more information on Ron Sutton’s Winner’s Circle, log on to www.winners-circle-racing.com
About Ron Sutton’s Winner’s Circle:
Ron Sutton's Winner's Circle is an established talent scout and development program, providing long term, comprehensive racing and career development for up and coming drivers focused on NASCAR careers. RSWC drivers are raced, coached, groomed, trained and molded, within a professional racing environment, into what top NASCAR teams look for when hiring drivers. Drivers involved in the program race in a variety of cars, including USAC Young Guns Focus Midgets, USAC Ford Focus Midgets, NASCAR Grand American Modifieds, NASCAR Late Model stock cars and NASCAR Grand National stock cars.
