SACRAMENTO, California — 17 year-old NASCAR K&N Pro Series, West rookie Dylan Hutchison, driving the #5 Bay Bio Diesel / Johnnie Walker Performance Chevrolet, got bit by the first time track blues and finished 17th in his debut at Evergreen Speedway on Saturday night. The 2011 All American Speedway NASCAR Late Model Rookie of the Year was competing in the "Napa Auto Parts 150" at the 5/8ths mile speedway in his Jack Sellers-owned equipment.
"My whole team is still new to the spec motors so we were never really sure what setup to run. "— Dylan Hutchison
Hutchison hoped to duplicate his career best finish at the Las Vegas Bullring in early June where he finished eighth but found the long bumpy corners at Evergreen to be a challenge. The team also raced with a NASCAR Spec Engine under the hood instead of their usual Rex Hutchison Racing Engines horsepower, which threw yet another curveball at the young driver.
"I want to thank my crew for all of their hard work," Hutchison said. "My whole team is still new to the spec motors so we were never really sure what setup to run. It wasn't our best night but we learned from it and hopefully we can have better luck at the next race!"
Despite all the adversity, Hutchison put down a very strong effort in qualifying, running 13th quickest out the 23 cars on hand at more than 96 miles per hour average. As the track turned from day to night for the race event, Hutchison found out that his loose setup in practice has turned into a tight setup for the race.
The Glenn Hutchison-led crew used pit stop strategy to pit and make adjustments to the car under yellow without loosing too much ground. But ultimately the changes made late in the event proved too little too late and with Hutchison out of contention for a Lucky Dog award he was forced to settle for a 17th place finish.
"Evergreen is a pretty tricky track," Hutchison said. "It's really flat and bumpy and completely changes from day to night. The car almost seemed perfect in qualifying but as soon as the sun went down it tightened up."
After nine race events so far in the 2012 NASCAR K&N Pro Series, West, Hutchison finds himself 11th in the points standings but only ten points behind 2007 Altamont Raceway Park track champion Ryan Philpott for 10th. The series will go dark for a week before returning next Saturday night to Colorado National Speedway in Dacono, CO for the "Toyota/Napa Auto Parts 150".
The "Napa Auto Parts 150" from Evergreen Speedway will air on SPEED on Thursday July 26 at noon Pacific Time.
You can learn more about Dylan Hutchison Racing at www.dylanhutchison.com or by visiting the team on Facebook at keywords “Dylan Hutchison Racing”.
Dylan Hutchison Racing thanks sponsors: Johnnie Walker Performance Center, Bay Bio Diesel, Eibach Springs, Karp Capital Management, Rex Hutchison Racing Engines, All Valley Tow & Transport, GM Construction & Developers, Allen’s Cabinet & Fixtures, PJ’s Auto Body, Done by Don, JW Sweet Rides, Metal Jeans, Amsoil, Aero Wheels, Blakesley Sports Media, and Race Media Group.
