By accessing/using The Crittenden Automotive Library/CarsAndRacingStuff.com, you signify your agreement with the Terms of Use on our Legal Information page. Our Privacy Policy is also available there.

Sarah Cornett-Ching No. 02 RACE 101 Chevrolet NASCAR KNPSE Columbus Preview

Topics:  Sarah Cornett-Ching, NAPA 150

Sarah Cornett-Ching No. 02 RACE 101 Chevrolet NASCAR KNPSE Columbus Preview

Chris Knight
Knight Motorsports Management
July 2, 2015

Sarah Cornett-Ching, No. 02 RACE 101 Chevrolet Impala, NAPA 150 Fast Facts

NASCAR K&N Pro Series East Race No. 7, NAPA 150, Columbus Motor Speedway, Columbus, Ohio

Race Information: Event: NAPA 150, Saturday, July 4 at 8:45 p.m. Local Time Track: Columbus Motor Speedway Qualifying: Saturday, July 4 at 6:00 p.m. Local Time Track Length: 0.333-mile paved oval.

Welcome Back: Earlier this week, RACE 101 Motorsports announced that female sensation Sarah Cornett-Ching will return to the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East (NKNPSE) for a limited schedule aboard the No. 02 RACE 101 Chevrolet Impala.

NASCAR Debut: In April, Cornett-Ching, a rookie in the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards made her NASCAR K&N Pro Series East debut at Bristol (Tenn.) Motor Speedway in the PittLite 125 driving the No. 18 Drive Technology / RACE 101 Toyota Camry for owner Sam Hunt. The Canadian quickly adapted to the 0.533-mile oval qualifying 26th, but finishing competitively in 20th position.

Locked In: With only 22 cars currently registered for Saturday night’s NAPA 150 at Columbus Motor Speedway for a 27-car race grid, Cornett-Ching and RACE 101 Motorsports are guaranteed to make the starting grid for their NASCAR K&N Pro Series debut.

Rookie Here Too: While Sarah Cornett-Ching is a registered SCOTT Rookie of the Year candidate, she also has filed for the same class on the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East tour. She’ll adorn a yellow rookie stripe on her No. 02 RACE 101 Chevrolet in Saturday night’s NAPA 150.

Another Top-10 Effort: In last Sunday’s Herr’s Chase The Taste 200 at Winchester (Ind.) Speedway, the most recent ARCA Racing Series race, Cornett-Ching's No. 2 RACE 101 Chevrolet had a free condition on entry. Despite the challenge, Sarah was able to claim a ninth-place finish in her Winchester debut. The finish was also the third straight top-10 run, a streak that began at Michigan International Speedway in early June.

Full-Season Slate: While the 24-year-old is competing in a limited capacity on the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East tour, Cornett-Ching currently competes full-time in the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards driving the No. 2 RACE 101 Chevrolet for Tony Blanchard. Just past halfway through the season, she has five top-10 finishes, including three consecutive efforts. She resides sixth in the championship standings with nine races remaining.

Not Just A Racer: Before turning her concentration to a full-time driving career, the Summerland, British Columbia native was a certified welder by trade in her home country of Canada. In fact, Cornett-Ching hones her skill at the teams Denver, North Carolina shop on occasion. She has also served as a welding tutor for members of her RACE 101 team.

Meet Sarah Cornett-Ching: One of two female drivers scheduled to compete at Columbus Motor Speedway Saturday night, Sarah Cornett-Ching will sign autographs and meet with race fans at 8:00 p.m. on the track’s frontstretch.

Chassis Intel: Tony Blanchard has elected to bring RACE 101 chassis number ­­­001 to the 0.33-mile track this weekend. This Chevrolet is appearing in its first race with RACE 101 and Cornett-Ching.

RACE 101 Motorsports, Columbus Motor Speedway Pre-Race Quotes: Sarah Cornett-Ching, driver of the No. 02 RACE 101 Chevrolet:

On Returning To The NASCAR K&N Pro Series East: “I can’t thank Tony (Blanchard) and everyone at RACE 101 enough for this opportunity. This is a great chance for me to learn more about the K&N cars, and different tire, while also racing at a new track and earning a good finish."

“All the tracks I’ve competed on in ARCA series this year have been new and we’ve had some great success there. I can't wait to compete in the K&N Series again I'm looking forward to the new competition and challenges.”

On Columbus Motor Speedway: “Like all of the tracks I’ve had to endure on the ARCA Racing Series tour, I’m not sure what to expect for Columbus. I’ve done my homework, looking at videos, and overhead shots of the track, talking to people who have run there, anything that will help me get acquainted with the track. We get an extra practice for the rookies this weekend, it’s important we take advantage of that and make sure our No. 02 RACE 101 Chevrolet is dialed in before qualifying.”

On Goals For The NAPA 150: “Of course, we race to win, but most of all, it’s important for me and our RACE 101 team to finish the race. I need to get more situated with this K&N car and the new tire we will race on. We have a few more races on deck this year, so if we can continue to learn and take the checkered flag, we’ve done our job.”

On Upcoming ARCA Race At Iowa Speedway: “With all the success we’re having in the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards tour, I’m really hoping we can build on it at Iowa Speedway. It will be another new track for me, but we’re working hard to make sure we’ll unload stronger than we have all season long and see if we can’t leave there with our first top-five of the season.”

RACE 101 Motorsports, Columbus Motor Speedway Pre-Race Quotes: Tony Blanchard, driver coach, mentor and owner of the No. 02 RACE 101 Chevrolet:

On Sarah Cornett Ching’s Return To The NASCAR K&N Pro Series East: “First, we’d like to thank NASCAR, Chris Wright and the entire NASCAR K&N Pro Series East officials for welcoming us back with open arms. We’re glad to be back racing on the tour in the first of several races under the RACE 101 banner this weekend at Columbus Motor Speedway. Sarah’s enthusiasm for this race is contagious and giving the entire RACE 101 team high hopes for Saturday night.”

On Columbus Motor Speedway Outlook: “Like Sarah has said, we really haven’t set any expectations. We just need to go to Columbus this weekend, be competitive, learn and see the checkered flag. The competition in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series is tough, but Sarah has risen to the challenge all year and we are expecting a good solid finish with our No. 02 RACE 101 Chevrolet.”

PRIOR RESULTS:

Sarah Cornett-Ching, Columbus Prior NASCAR K&N Performance Record:

Sarah Cornett-Ching will make her second career NASCAR K&N Pro Series East start this weekend at Columbus Motor Speedway, no prior starts.

The NAPA 150 (150 laps / 49.99 miles) is the seventh of 14 races on the 2015 NASCAR K&N Pro Series East schedule. Practice begins for the one-day show on Independence Day, July 4 from 1:30 p.m. – 2:15 p.m. A rookie session has been etched in from 2:30 p.m. – 2:45 p.m., while a final practice session has been scheduled from 3:00 p.m. – 3:45 p.m. Qualifying is set for later in the day at 6:00 p.m. The event will take the green flag just after 8:45 p.m. The event will be not be televised live, but will air in a tape-delayed format on the NBC Sports Network on Friday, July 10 at 2:30 p.m. EST. All times are local (Eastern).

Fast Links:

Driver: Sarah Cornett-Ching on Twitter @scornettching or visit sccracing.com or on Facebook.

Marketing Partner: RACE 101: RACE 101.

Sanction: NASCAR K&N Pro Series East: NASCARHometracks.com.

PHOTO CAPTION: Rookie of the Year candidate Sarah Cornett-Ching, driver of the No. 02 RACE 101 Chevrolet for owner Tony Blanchard and RACE 101 Motorsports in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East (NKPSE).

Contact:

Tony Blanchard
Tonybrace101@gmail.com