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Austin makes his debut at the
Plymouth Motor Speedway
After two canceled season openers due to rain, the green flag finally fell at the Plymouth Motor Speedway. It wasn’t your average weekly show that awaited this night. 32 of the area’s best drivers lined up to take part in one of the biggest races of the year for the division. The Sportsman Series Challenge.
The 16 year olds qualifying spot in the line up turned out to be disastrous after oil was laid down
around the track from another qualifying car. Austin found himself slipping through turn three of his qualifying laps and hanging onto whatever he could salvage. We still don’t know if he could have posted a top 18 qualifying spot for the A feature but we had to take what was dealt.
After qualifying wrapped up, his times unfortunately didn’t hold for the 75 lap A feature. With no heat races or the ability to even try to race in, Austin found himself back in the 17 car B feature. Austin lined up in the 5th position and awaited the green flag. By lap 3 Austin was out front leading the pack in his debut at Plymouth Motor Speedway. Lap by lap the youngster was pulling away. The cautioned waved with 11 laps remaining. Austin lined the field back up and quickly jumped out to a 4-5 car lead as the green flag fell and the laps counted down.
After a two-year layoff, Austin could smell the checkers as the laps were counting down. Maybe a bit too much. Austin spun coming out of turn two. Call it over anxious or just flat out over driving it. It was heartbreaking to say the least. We could feel his emotions from the stands. Austin was able to come from the back with 9 laps remaining to post an 8th place finish.
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