Sarah Cornett-Ching Reflects On Talladega Debut; Nets First Top-10 ARCA Finish

Sarah Cornett-Ching Reflects On Talladega Debut; Nets First Top-10 ARCA Finish

Topics: Sarah Cornett-Ching, International Motorsports Hall of Fame 200

Sarah Cornett-Ching Reflects On Talladega Debut; Nets First Top-10 ARCA Finish

Chris Knight
Knight Motorsports Management
May 6, 2015

DENVER, North Carolina (May 6, 2015) - - Despite being one of the least experienced ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards rookies in the garage, Sarah Cornett-Ching has put together a string of strong finishes in the first five events of 2015, quickly putting the only full-time female competitor into the spotlight and making headlines.

Cornett-Ching’s latest achievement came last weekend at Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway, where after qualifying a respectable 18th, Cornett-Ching cleverly drafted towards a top-five finish, but settled for eighth.

Despite her success in the race, Cornett-Ching only made her first laps in a group draft in Friday morning practice at Talladega. As the day progressed and she became more comfortable in the draft, crew chief Tony Blanchard was able to adjust the car to pick up more speed for qualifying and the race.

With her first top-10 in the books, Cornett-Ching and her Race 101 team are carrying tons of momentum.

“Sarah has a drive to be successful like I haven’t seen in quite a while,” says Race 101’s Tony Blanchard. “With her limited experience in these cars and seat time in general she continues to impress every time we hit the track, she is extremely calm and is a great listener, she picks new things up very quickly.”

Much of the strength shown by the No. 2 Race 101 team has come from being able to finish races and keep the equipment clean as Cornett-Ching learns the new tracks and different cars. Although she has a tremendous amount of heart, determination and raw talent, the Summerland, British Columbia native has had limited seat time leading up to the 2015 season.

Unlike other rookies in the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards who have had the opportunity to race every weekend and sharpen their skills over the past few years, Cornett-Ching spent her time working as a welder in order to have the opportunity to race, running a total of sixteen 100 lap races in the past three years. She has already blown way past the expectations set for her in 2015 and her impressive performance on the high-banks of Talladega’s 2.66-mile oval was a monumental accomplishment.

Pure emotion consumed Cornett-Ching’s voice as she thanked the crew after the race.

“Going into the race at Talladega I had very little basis of what a big draft pack would be like in the car,” she said. “Tony (Blanchard) and I had gone over what feels like every possible scenario that could take place during the race but you just can’t grasp what the feel will be until you get out there.

“I am very lucky to have the knowledge and experience Tony (Blanchard) brings to every race, I am mentally prepared before we ever even get to the track.”

Smart racing played into Cornett-Ching’s hands at Talladega last weekend. Communication from her spotter and her team sent a fast No. 2 Race 101 Chevrolet flying through the field, but its Cornett-Ching’s confidence in herself that has the ability to guide her to more than just an eighth place finish.

With plenty of races still on deck in the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards, Cornett-Ching doesn’t have any plans to simmer down.

In fact, she’s just getting started.

“Toledo Speedway is next. And again, even though it’s a track I’ve never been too, I can’t wait to get things going.”

Follow Sarah Cornett-Ching on Twitter @scornettching

PHOTO CAPTION: SCOTT Rookie of the Year candidate Sarah Cornett-Ching, driver of the No. 2 RACE 101 Chevrolet for owner Tony Blanchard in the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards.

Contact:

Tony Blanchard
Tonybrace101@gmail.com
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