Story By: A2DPR / TREVER FEATHERS RACING – PORT ROYAL, PA –Trever Feathers took the first weekend of July off to, in his words, “hit reset”. Now we not only know what he meant, we know it was the right choice…and it paid off.
Feathers debuted a new Team Zero car wrapped with a sharp black, grey and blue new look, carrying his trademark gold No.20.
Not only did the new mount look good, it raced good too.
With a high quality field of 32 teams on hand for Saturday night’s race at Port Royal Speedway, Feathers would not have time to ease into finding out what his new car was capable of. He would need to be on his game from the time he fired the engine.
Heat lineups were set by pill draw and only the top five finishers would move on, with the top three being handicapped. A favorable draw put Feathers inside row two for his heat race but at the drop of the green he slipped back to 4th, on the outside looking in at a handicap spot.
Feathers found his rhythm and chased down Cory Lawler on lap four to claim 3rd, and he wasn’t done yet. On lap six he tracked down Nick Dickson to claim the runner-up spot. In a preview of things to come, the Winchester, VA native then went after leader Bryan Bernheisel. Feathers ran out of time and took the 2nd place finish.
Returning to Port Royal Speedway (where they have the most laps this year) was a good measuring stick to find out how good the new car would be, but the running of the feature event would be the true test. There were other nights this season when Feathers was good early, only to see the tables turn completely at the end of the night.
Feathers started the 25-lap feature inside row three. He held his ground in 5th for the first two circuits, then went to work aboard the Larry Royston’s Septic Services, Martins Pumping Service, McFarland Custom Painting & Wall Coverings, North River Farm, Leggett Engine Research, Feathers & Sons Roofing, Hot Rod Septic Treatment, Team Zero Race Cars, Shane McDowell Racing, Coffelt Graphics, Larry Royston Properties, Larry Royston Equipment, Fox Racing Shox, Bo Feathers Racing, Clem’s Garage, No.20.
On lap three, Feathers powered into the 2nd spot, advancing three spots in one lap. His crosshairs were set on leader Bernheisel, and he began gradually closing the gap.
As the race approached ten laps remaining, Feathers was clearly the faster car, using the low line to his advantage. He was ready to pounce and claim the lead when the first caution of the event came out.
Following a Delaware Double File restart, Feathers once again took sole possession of the runner-up spot. He remained on Bernheisel’s back bumper but wasn’t able to pull alongside. The race ended with Feathers in 2nd.
“I didn’t need that caution but I’m pretty happy with how this Team Zero car raced for us tonight. I was pretty sure I hadn’t forgotten how to drive.“, a noticeably more relaxed Feathers grinned, referring to the rough season he has battled through so far.
“That might be the best car I’ve ever had here.
That’s a big statement from someone who has won multiple races at ‘The Speed Palace’.
“I want to give a big shout-out and thank you to Shane McDowell for all the support he has given us with this car. We bought this car from him, and he has been great to work with. We have a good piece here. We can build on this.“, Feathers added.
“Hopefully this is the turning point for us, and we can put a solid second half of the season together.“
Saturday night, July 15th, Feathers will make the four mile tow to his hometown track, Winchester Speedway (VA) for the Junior Boone Memorial, which will pay $5,015 to the winner and will also make that driver automatically qualified for the Frank Sagi Tribute race at Hagerstown Speedway (MD) the following night.
Feathers also plans to make the trip to Hagerstown Sunday night for the Sagi Tribute.