ANTELOPE, California — Moses Smith, NASCAR K&N Pro Series West driver and the No. 16 Hasa Toyota crew spent race day at the Phoenix International Raceway in frustration. The Hasa Toyota Camry was tight all morning and nothing they did would fix the problem. However, after a disappointing qualifying position of twenty-fourth out of the thirty-three car field, Moses and Bill McAnally Racing no. 16 Hasa team led by crew chief Mario Isola were confident that the car would come to life as the track cooled.
"We have really put together a great team; we just need to get this bad luck monkey off our back. I think we are all looking forward to Iowa."— Moses Smith
“After both practices, the No. 16 Hasa Pool Products Toyota Camry was extremely tight so we decided to completely change the set up for qualifying. Imagine my surprise when I had an extremely loose car to qualify with!” chuckled Smith.
The No. 16 Hasa Pool Products Toyota marched forward as soon as the green flag flew. By lap 70, Smith was running in the top-ten and the team knew that their predictions were correct. On the restart with eight laps to go, Smith started in the eighth position.
Unfortunately, a three car tangle in turn three set up a green-white-checkered situation. Smith got an excellent restart and by the white flag lap had driven his way into the sixth position. Suddenly two cars spun in front of the #16 Hasa Pool Products Toyota Camry. Smith was able to avoid the spinning cars only to be hit by the two behind him. The crash was so intense that the Hasa emblem from his driver’s suit was etched into his left arm. Smith was checked and cleared by the infield medical personnel with severe bruising including a bruised rib.
“That was the second top-ten / top-five finish that we lost in the last lap due to drivers running into the back of us. The car was good in the race, just bad luck I guess. We have really put together a great team; we just need to get this bad luck monkey off our back. I think we are all looking forward to Iowa.”
Smith wants to give special recognition to one of the newest sponsors, on the No. 16 Toyota Camry. Blimpie, America’s Sub Shop increased their support of Smith’s racing in 2010. Smith was able to stop by Blimpie’s corporate headquarters in Scottsdale, Arizona with the race car on Wednesday and give everyone there an up close look at the car.
“My visit at Blimpie's was exciting. “It was great to have the car out there for the employees and associates to check out, especially for those who weren’t going to make it to the race,” said Smith.
On race day, Blimpie’s provided the crew with delicious sandwiches. They were also able to take advantage of the race being in their hometown by handing out Blimpie seat cushions and coupons for deli-fresh sandwiches to the #16 Hasa Pool Products fans.
For more information on Bill McAnally Racing and the no. 16 Hasa Toyota team, please visit our website at www.billmcanallyracing.com. For more information on Moses Smith, please visit www.mosessmith.com. You can visit our sponsors’ websites at www.hasapool.com, www.whiteflyer.com, www.blimpie.com and www.tcitransportation.com.
The Jimmie Johnson Foundation “100” can be seen on SPEED Channel on April 22nd from Phoenix International Raceway. The next NASCAR K&N Pro Series West race will be a combined race event with the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East at Iowa Speedway on May 23rd.
