NEWTON, Iowa — Luis Martinez Jr had an eventful day on Saturday. Arriving earlier in the week, the youngster showed up at Iowa Speedway with the goal of posting a competitive result in the K&N Pro Series combination race, while also making a successful NASCAR Nationwide debut aboard the #39 King Taco Ford entry with Go Green Racing.
"It was a good night overall. We finished 6th in K&N Pro Series West standings. We fought some motor issues during the night, but we got the car working well enough to keep us in the hunt."— Luis Martinez Jr
Martinez took part in the 1 hour, 35 minute K&N Pro Series practice session earlier in the day and finished in the 38th spot with a best lap time of 25.006 aboard his #6 King Taco/Sunrise Ford /Lucas Oil Ford entry. Later in the day the Pico Rivera, CA resident took his turn to qualify. He hammered away at the track and posted a lap time of 24.522 (128.456), which was good enough to put him in the 28th spot out of the 58 cars that attempted to make the race. Last year Martinez managed only a 23rd qualifying effort, so the result today was a step in the right direction for the racer.
For Martinez’s NASCAR Nationwide debut, on account of inclement weather NASCAR decided to cancel the qualifying session however, based on owner’s points, Martinez would be assigned the 25th qualifying spot. Despite being unable to qualify, Martinez did take part in the series’ only practice session and, despite never having been in the car before, Martinez impressed many by posting a best practice time of 24.524 (128.446), which put him solidly in the 27th spot among a field of 43 cars.
Martinez took the start of the K&N Pro Series combination race, along with the rest of the huge 40-car field and, as the green flag dropped, the side-by-side action began. Martinez initially lost some positions at the start, but the seasoned racer was keenly aware that the 175-lap race was going to require patience and perseverance. With that in mind, he kept his focus. By lap #29 Martinez was in 31st place and began to make his move forward. Six laps later he gained 8 positions and was looking to gain more. He had done well in avoiding the numerous yellow flag incidents in front of him and, during one of the yellows, Martinez and team decided to pit on lap #90. The pit stops delivered 4 tires and fuel for Martinez and by the time all of the positions had recycled, as well as the assessment of penalties to those drivers in front of him, Martinez had secured himself the 14th spot. Martinez continued to fight hard and was eventually able to finish the race in 15th, 6th among the West drivers. With this result Martinez moves up one spot in the Championship standings to 4th with 569 points.
Martinez returns to NASCAR K&N Pro Series West action on June 11th when the series heads to the Bullring at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
Luis Martinez Jr – Driver No. 6 – “It was a good night overall. We finished 6th in K&N Pro Series West standings. We fought some motor issues during the night, but we got the car working well enough to keep us in the hunt. I’d like to take the time and thank my crew and my sponsors for their continual efforts and support.”
