Dupo, IL (March 23, 2015) Kyle Schuett and his Schuett Racing, Inc. team kicked off their 2015 race season this past weekend, when the POWRi and POWRi West midgets invaded Port City Raceway for the 2nd Annual Turnpike Challenge. Over 65 entries filled the pits on both Friday and Saturday nights, with the best of the best in midget racing and some top sprint car drivers being in attendance. The format for the each night was a pill draw to determine heat race line-ups, with the top 39 in passing points being divided into three qualifier events. The remaining cars outside of the top 39 would then make up two non-qualifiers, with the top three finishers from these going to the back of the qualifiers. The top seven from each qualifier were then locked into the main event and one more car added based on the driver having the highest number of passing points, but not transferring from the qualifier by finishing in the top seven.
Friday night, Kyle would line up sixth in the final heat race of the night. With passing points at a premium, he made quick work of the competition and had a strong second place finish. At the end of the heat races, this put Kyle fourth overall in passing points against the tough 68 car field. As a result of his passing points, he lined up on the outside of the front row in qualifier number one. His qualifier included three former POWRi champions, a USAC champion, and two ASCS sprint car regulars. At the end of the 20 lap qualifier event, Kyle found himself finishing seventh and moving on to the A-main event. In an intense 40 lap feature event, Kyle unfortunately got stuck a lap down after the caution came out early in the race. After this, Kyle maintained his line and finished his first 2015 POWRi main event in 19th place. With the number of cars and the caliber of drivers represented Friday night, a top 20 feature finish was a good way to start the season.
Saturday night’s format would mirror that of Friday night’s program. After the pill draw, Kyle lined up on the outside of the front row for heat race number three. Again, passing points were at a premium, and at the end of the ten lap event, Kyle crossed the stripe and picked up his first career POWRi midget heat race win. This finish gave Kyle a great starting spot for the qualifier event and he again was able to transfer to the night’s A-main by picking up a third place finish. This time, there would be no problems with getting caught a lap down, as Kyle was able to stay mid-pack all race long. After 40 hard laps of racing, Kyle came home with an eighth place finish, making this his career high finish in just the second race of the season.
With a tough field of competitor’s and not a lot of experience under his belt, rookie contender Schuett never let any of that bother him this weekend. He led a lot of laps, won a heat race, finished seventh in a qualifier filled with champions, finished third in a qualifier having two former POWRi champions, and made both A-main events. There were a lot of great things for Schuett Racing, Inc. this past weekend and the 2015 season has started off in the right direction. Next up for Kyle will be when the POWRi midgets make their first appearance of the year at Belle-Clair Speedway in Belleville, Illinois on Friday, April 10th. Schuett already has a micro-sprint win at “Little Belleville” in 2014 and will be looking to continue his rookie midget racing season close to home.
Schuett Racing, Inc. would like to thank everyone for their support this season, including its fans, friends, and sponsors. Great sponsors like these people and businesses are what makes weekends like this past one possible. Thank you Illiana Insurance Agency, Progressive Propane, Bergfield Farms, KBR Performance, Rod End Supply, FK Indy, Hoosier Tire Midwest, AMSOIL by Roger Clapp, Steve Thomas Racing, Bell Racing, ButlerBuilt Professional Seat Systems, BOSS Chassis, R & B Powdercoating, J & K Rentals, and Keizer Wheels.
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