BAKERSFIELD, Ca — Saturday night’s K&N Pro Series West “King Taco 200” at Toyota Speedway was only the second career start for 20 year-old Brennan Newberry, but if you were there in person he looked more like a veteran than a rookie. After a solid 7th place qualifying effort out of a field of 30 cars, Newberry was on the move from the drop of the green flag. Through the first 100 laps he ran consistently in the Top 5 and at the half way break he was in 3rd.
After a few tweaks during the 10 minute intermission, Newberry was back up on the wheel and ran 3rd for the better part of the next 60 laps. With 40 to go, he moved past Blake Koch into second. With lapped traffic playing a significant role, Newberry picked them off one by one and focused on eventual race winner, Auggie Vidovich. Unfortunately for the Dale Jr. Sharpie/Metal Mulisha Chevrolet #39 race team, Newberry lost power on Lap 197 and was relegated to a 16th place finish.
Although there was disappointment on the team’s face, it was the confidence in Newberry’s eyes that helped put everything into perspective. “Our confidence was kind of low in the beginning of the season, but it was regained when we showed up to Iowa and ran as well as we did. Then to come out of here (Toyota Speedway) running the way we did, it only boosts our confidence even more.” commented Newberry.
That confidence has been evident over the last couple of races and should help him bode well as he and his NTS Motorsports team head back to Southern California on July 17th for the SPEARS SRL Southwest Tour Series “SPEARS Manufacturing 100” at Toyota Speedway at Irwindale. “Last year we ran really well at Irwindale in the Tour. In the fall race, we lead some laps and finished 7th. With the way we ran this past weekend, I really feel like we are in a position to go out and contend for the win at Irwindale (on July 17th).” stated Newberry.
Coming off a track record in qualifying at the SRL race Madera Speedway on June 26th and the momentum the team has from this past weekend, the upcoming “SPEARS Manufacturing 100” just might be the defining moment in the young driver’s career. “All of the pieces are in place and Brennan is really clicking right now with Gary (Collins) and the rest of the team. If we can get a good qualifying run and if Brennan shows the patience he did during the West (K&N Pro Series) race on Saturday night, there’s no reason why he shouldn’t be up at the front when the checkers fall.” commented team owner Bob Newberry.
