Ryan Unzicker’s Strong Run Derailed In ARCA Return At Springfield

Ryan Unzicker’s Strong Run Derailed In ARCA Return At Springfield

Topics: Ryan Unzicker, Allen Crowe 100

Ryan Unzicker’s Strong Run Derailed In ARCA Return At Springfield

Chris Knight
Knight Motorsports Management
August 22, 2011

SPRINGFIELD, Illinois (August 22, 2011) - - Making his first ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards start in nearly a decade, a lot was resting on the shoulders of Ryan Unzicker heading into the Allen Crowe 100. The call from veteran ARCA team Hendren Motorsports to wheel their No. 15 RJR Transportation Chevrolet Impala at Springfield was a welcomed surprise.

Unfortunately, Unzicker’s strong return would be derailed inside the race’s final forty laps ending what looked to be a potentially career-day for the El Paso, Illinois native.

On the heels of victory the night before at Fairbury American Legion Speedway, the 30-year old returned to the ARCA garage tired but thrilled about the opportunity ahead of him. Climbing into his Hendren Motorsports machine just before 9:00 a.m., Unzicker was set to join the remaining 30 drivers to conquer the first and only practice session of the day.

During the one-hour session, No. 15 RJR Transportation Chevrolet Impala posted the 14th quickest lap which was respectable considering the team was battling brake issues. Unable to gain the full speed he was looking for because of his pedal, the team quickly went to work adjusting and repairing the brakes.

Not know exactly what he had, Unzicker was the sixth car to make a qualifying attempt at the one-mile paved oval. When time trials was all said and done, Unzicker lined up 15th for his fourth career ARCA start.

The field took the green flag shortly after 1:00 p.m. with Unzicker quickly devouring his competition and climbing through the field rapidly. By lap five, Unzicker had moved into 12th and then took 11th before marching into the top-10 by lap 12. By lap 20, Unzicker had muscled his No. 15 RJR Transportation Chevrolet Impala to ninth but far from the lead pack which at that time had stretched out considerably.

Unzicker though wasn’t able to let his guard down as the competition remained tight and fierce from ninth to 12th. When the first caution flag waived on lap 36, Unzicker mixed in with the wad of racecars would be scored in the 11th position.

The team led by Bill Hendren took the first yellow flag to make their mandated pit stop which consisted of tires and fuel. Quick work by the Illinois-based team set their driver back into battle riding in eighth.

Back under green, Unzicker kept his team in the mix inside the top-10 as cars continued to jockeying for position. After muscling his way back from 10th by the halfway point, the Hendren Motorsports team had climbed into the seventh position when their day took a dramatic turn.

On lap 62 as Unzicker entered turn three, the engine expired sending up a cloud of smoke with oil pouring underneath him which sent the car into an uncontrollable spin before making hard contact with the wall.

Dejected by the turn of events, Unzicker was able to climb from his mangled machine unhurt but disappointed with the ending result.

“First, I want to thank Bill (Hendren) and the entire Hendren Motorsports team for the opportunity to race at Springfield,” offered Unzicker, the current DIRTcar Late Model National points leader. “We had some issues that we were able to work through from practice into the race and I was pretty pumped about how the car was handling during the race.

The car was at its best when we had made it to seventh. Without any warning though, the engine blew and the oil spilled onto the tires and then all I could do was hang on. Obviously this is a huge blow to the team and may prevent us from competing at DuQuoin, we’ll just have to wait and see what happens.”

The final finishing rundown placed Unzicker 20th overall.

Next up for the ARCA Racing Series is an overdue return to Madison International Speedway for the running of the Herr’s Live Life With Flavor 200. The one-day show is set for Friday, August 26 with the green flag scheduled to waive just after 8:30 p.m. local. The series returns to the half-mile short track for the first time since 1973.

For more on Ryan Unzicker, please visit ryanunzicker.com.

PHOTO CAPTION: Ryan Unzicker, driver of the No. 15 RJR Transportation Chevrolet Impala in the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards for Hendren Motorsports.

MEDIA CONTACT:

NAME: Chris Knight, Knight Motorsports Management
PHONE: 239.834.9797
EMAIL: chris@chrisknightpr.com