Story By: A2DPR / MANSBERGER MOTORSPORTS – MECHANICSBURG, PA – Zach Newlin and the Mansberger Motorsports 358 sprint car team have been battling through a very tough stretch that spans back into their 2022 season.
Despite having good equipment, a knowledgeable crew and a driver that knows how to win races, they have faced a number of unusual and unlucky challenges. It’s not an uncommon story in sprint car racing but that doesn’t make it any easier to overcome.
When Newlin signed in and drew his pill Friday night at Williams Grove Speedway, he had to be thinking ‘here we go again’. His draw put him 9th on the starting grid for his heat race. While a top six transfer spot was probably within reach, a top four redraw spot seemed pretty far-fetched against the level of competition that signs in at ‘The Grove’.
With his work clearly cut out for him, Newlin didn’t waste a moment getting to work in his heat race, charging into 7th on the opening lap and to 6th by lap four. Climbing further was a tall task in the night’s opening 8-lap heat race on a still somewhat narrow racing groove. He settled for the 6th place finish and a transfer in the Manchester Hydraulics, Marlow’s Metal Fabrication, Safety Kleen, Lee Chassis Repair & Components, Will’s Lawncare, Mansberger Motorsports No.21m.
Newlin started the 20-lap A-main deep in the field in 16th. Once again, the Millerstown, PA driver got right to business, climbing two spots on the opening lap.
‘Zach Daddy’ as he has been nicknamed over the years, temporarily slipped back to 15th for a few circuits but reclaimed 14th by lap seven.
Newlin continued his forward progress, closing the next gap and taking over the 13th spot on lap eleven. The No.21m was clearly coming to him and getting faster. The two cars in front of Newlin raced side by side, stranding the faster Newlin behind them for a few laps and stalling his progress as the laps clicked off.
Finally, on lap nineteen Newlin wrestled the 12th spot away and then went after the No.6 of Cody Phillips. Newlin took 11th away from Phillips on the final circuit to end up 11th, plus five on the night.
The effort was enough to earn Newlin the Hard Charger award for the night.
“Man, it felt like we passed twice that many cars tonight. The racing was so close. Felt like everyone was so even.“, a worn out but happy Newlin said.
“We had a great car in the second half of the race tonight. I was turning laps as fast as the front runners, we were just buried too deep. “That’s the best I have felt this season. I think we have found some balance that we can build on.”
Zach Daddy and the Mansberger Motorsports team will return to Williams Grove Speedway on Friday, May 19th.