Stellar Run For Brett Hudson In Talladega Debut

Topics:  Brett Hudson, 3 Amigos 250

Chris Knight
Brett Hudson Motorsports
Knight Motorsports Management
April 19, 2011

TALLADEGA, Alabama (April 19, 2011) - - There’s a chance if you didn’t know who Owensboro, Kentucky native Brett Hudson was before the postponed 3 Amigos 250 at Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway; you do now. On Saturday morning, Hudson driving the No. 94 Hudson Performance Drivelines Dodge Charger finished a stellar fourth in his Talladega debut.

The finish was very satisfying for the Brett Hudson Motorsports (BHM) team after their first go-around with a restrictor plate race in the season-opener at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway ended just four laps into the 80-lap event when a deflated tire caused Hudson to lose control and pound the wall in turn three.

Armed with crew chief John Hayden, who many in the garage consider one of the best when it comes to restrictor plate racing – the team ultimately felt they had an advantage over the rest of their competition.

In the three hour practice session Thursday, Hudson, an avid late model driver negotiated the 21st fastest practice time. With practice over, Hudson and the team went into strategy mode for qualifying – hoping to put their No. 94 Dodge Charger as close to the front as possible.

In time trials, Hudson produced the 18th fastest time, respectable for any rookie at Talladega. On Friday morning, the team timed in third fastest overall in drafting practice – just to test the waters with their competition. Unfortunately, an hour before the race was to start, Mother Nature soaked the 2.66-mile track ultimately forcing officials to postpone the race until Saturday morning.

With weather conditions improved considerably, Hudson strapped himself into his machine ready to do battle at one of the fastest race tracks in the United States.

From the drop of the green flag, Hudson easily proved that he had a fast car. Able to maneuver from the top to the bottom, the No. 94 machine had climbed into the 15th position by lap six and by lap 15 had inched his climb to 11th.

Hudson, with guidance from spotter Mike Velotta and coaching from Hayden danced around solidly in the top-12 before trekking his way to the front just after half-way.

By lap 45 the BHM had climbed to ninth and intense racing over the next 40 circuits would keep Hudson pinned between fifth and eighth but on the final restart of the event, Hudson who was running fifth at the time began to mount his charge and found himself in contention for the win on the last lap but had to fend off a hungry pack of hounds which included the No. 17 of Chris Buescher, the No. 52 of Tom Hessert and the No. 19 of Brian Rose.

Hudson masterfully protected his line and took the checkered flag fourth earning his third career top-five finish in ARCA and 11th top-10 overall. It was his first top-five effort on a speedway.

“I don’t know what to really say,” said a jubilant Hudson. “I mean this is great. Man, we worked hard. We didn’t have a lot of sponsorship to come here but we did because we wanted to prove that Daytona was bad luck and we have a team that is capable of running well. Man, this just feels so good. I have to thank John (Hayden), Jared (Bartlett, car chief), Gene (Patient of Gene Patient Fabrication), Mike (Velotta), my parents and everyone on the BHM team for their faith and belief in me. This is just awesome.”

Not only did Hudson want to run well for his team and sponsors but the team was in Talladega in support of Harlie Bryant. A short time ago, Bryant, a six year old from Hudson’s hometown in Owensboro, Kentucky was recently diagnosed with brain cancer and is scheduled for surgery on May 12th.

“This finish is for Harlie!,” encouraged Hudson. “We’re thinking about her every hour. She’s such a courageous and delightful little girl. She’s going to be in our thoughts and prayers for sure. I’m hoping that everyone will go to her “Hope for Harlie” Facebook page and show their support.”

Hudson Motorsports would like to thank their sponsors who made Talladega possible: to Hudson Performance Drivelines, Double H Hydraulics, Race Engines Plus (REP), G&A Trucking, Gene Patient Fabrication (GPF) and Warricktubing.com.

In 23 ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards starts, Hudson has produced three top-fives including a career best of fourth at Salem (Ind.) Speedway in 2007 and Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway (April 2011) and 11 top-10 finishes overall. Hudson has one career ARCA pole also coming at Salem (Ind.) Speedway in 2005 driving the No. 62 Hudson Machine Shop Chevrolet Monte Carlo.

Next up for the ARCA Racing Series and Brett Hudson Motorsports is the first of two trips to Salem (Ind.) Speedway of the running of the Kentuckiana Ford Dealers 200 on Sunday, May 1. With the jump to 15th in the ARCA point standings, the team returns to Hudson’s favorite short track hoping for another good run that could lead to an increased presence in 2011.

For more on “Hope for Harlie”, please click here to visit their official Facebook page.

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