Story By: A2DPR / KEEN MOTORSPORTS – ABBOTTSTOWN, PA – Kyle Keen is over two months into his 2023 season but only has five races on the ledger thus far in the Fine Line Auto Body, Keen Parts/CorvetteParts.net, Doubling Gap Ranch, Shetron, Auction & Equipment, LLC., Wicked Dog Grille, Heishman Racing Fuels, Wicked Cushion, DL Lehman Construction, Gearhead Coffee, Jeremy Zarfos Photography, Coyle’s Lawn Maintenance, 2B Wrapped, 4 Leaf Clover Farms, Turn 2 Terribles Podcast & Media, Kyle Keen Motorsports No.17.
Those five races have produced very up and down results, combined with glimpses of high potential. Keen’s greatest desire right now is to get into a rhythm, something the weather and mechanical issues have prevented so far this season. Seat time is the only way to keep getting better.
Learning Moment
Lineups for the four heat races for the 34 cars on hand at Lincoln Speedway Saturday night were set by pill draw. The top five finishers would transfer to the A-main but only the top three would be handicapped to the front of the starting lineup for the finale.
Keen started 3rd in his 10-lap heat race and worked his way into the runner-up spot on lap three. He held that spot, trying to run down the leader for the next seven laps. On the final circuit the Carlisle, PA native slipped one spot to finish 3rd.
“With a lap to go I tried blocking the bottom line and I got out-experienced by a veteran racer. Definitely a good learning moment for me.“, Keen said.
Fortunately, the lost position didn’t hurt Keen, as he still claimed a handicap spot.
Keen started on the pole for the 20-lap main event but front row mate Kyle Spence led the opening lap.
Keen chased Spence the entire distance but with the track taking rubber, it was tough to get close, let alone make a move. He kept a firm grip on 2nd through the checkered flag.
“Tough for me to swallow being so close. I messed up the start and got out-experienced again on the initial green and was never able to get close enough to the leader to attempt to get it back. While I’m not satisfied with second, I’m happy to be in contention for a win. It also feels good to put a whole night together and bring home a career best for me in my second year in a 358 (sprint car).“, Keen said.
“Thank you to my crew, family, wife, sponsors and anyone who supports my program. I’m hungry for that first win and we are working hard to do so. Special thanks to my dad, Brint, Dakota Kuhn and Jordan Givler for a late evening Thursday dropping the motor back in so we could be here to race.”
Kyle Keen will compete with the URC at Selinsgrove Speedway on Sunday, June 18th when the 360 sprint cars join the Appalachian Mountain Late Model Speedweek program.
“Hopefully we can click off a couple full nights like that in a row and get into that rhythm we have been looking for.”, Keen commented.