Story By: A2DPR / KYLE REINHARDT RACING – ORRVILLE, OH – Kyle Reinhardt has been turning heads since he joined the Grove Racing team in mid-August. They have been consistently fast and in the thick of the battle every night.
The next step for Reinhardt and the team is to consistently get the finishes they are capable of. The two day Attica Ambush with the All Star Circuit of Champions was their next chance to check that box and they did.
Reinhardt rolled into Attica Raceway Park along with 35 other teams to open the month of September.
The third-mile oval has challenged Reinhardt in his handful of starts there, but he opened this night by turning in the quickest lap in his group and transferring through his heat to earn a spot in the Dash.
While the redraw wasn’t friendly to Reinhardt, handing him the 8th starting spot for the 6-lap race, he overcame it with a charge to a 4th place finish.
Going from outside row two in the 35-lap A-main, Reinhardt made it clear from the drop of the green that he was going to be a factor. By lap four he was in the runner up spot and challenging leader Kerry Madsen.
Reinhardt dogged Madsen for the next 25 circuits but couldn’t get by. Following a late restart, he went for it. He dove low into turn one, but Madsen slammed the door late. The Neptune City, NJ native nearly spun but was able to gather his No.45 up and get back in the gas.
The lost momentum was enough for Tyler Courtney to slip by. With only a few laps remaining, Reinhardt wasn’t able to reclaim the spot and settled for a 3rd place finish.
Saturday’s $12,000 to win Attica Ambush finale drew a field of 38 teams to try to collect a big payday.
Reinhardt proved Friday was no fluke. He kicked off Saturday night’s qualifying by ripping the quickest lap in his group in the Grove Racing, Capitol Renegade, Bakers Mobile Home Transport, Coors Banquet Beer, Henry’s Wrecker Service No.45.
Reinhardt once again transferred through his heat and put himself and his team in the Dash. He wasn’t able to gain any track position through the dash, but in the 40-lap A-main, he moved forward.
From the 8th starting spot, Reinhardt worked his way to the 4th spot by lap eight. He was unable to climb further but held a firm grasp on 4th all the way to the checkered flag.
“We came out of the Ambush with a P3 and a P4. My best showing at Attica for sure.“, Reinhardt said. “Caught the yellows at the wrong time on Friday. Laid it all out (on Friday night) and went for it (the win) but ended up paying the price.”
“I’m excited to keep rolling with this Grove Racing No.45!”
The Grove Racing team and Reinhardt traveled to Wayne County Speedway on Sunday night for the $10,000 to win Pete Jacobs Memorial.
The 37-car field was split into two flights for qualifying. Reinhardt timed 10th quickest in his group, putting him 5th on the grid for his heat race.
The team’s adjustments following time trials were on point and Reinhardt quickly charged from 5th to a 2nd place finish.
Reinhardt started 10th in the 30-lap A-main and immediately went on the charge. By lap two he was passing for 7th when contact in traffic got him out of shape on the backstretch and dropped him to 14th in the running order.
Knowing he had a very good race car; Reinhardt went right back to work. He broke into the top ten again on lap twelve. His march continued as he cracked the top five on lap twenty one.
When the dust finally settled, Reinhardt was 2nd. It was a great run but a missed opportunity too, he felt.
“Really happy with our speed but a bit disappointed with this finish to be honest. Had a great start and was already up three spots and got turned on the backstretch. Dropped to 14th and raced all the way back to 2nd, so a great run overall.“, Reinhardt said.
“Hopefully we can carry this momentum into Port Royal for the Tuscarora 50 week.“
Sponsorship opportunities are available for the 2023 season.
Reinhardt and the Grove Racing No.45 team will head to Port Royal Speedway for a three day program that culminates with the 56th Annual Tuscarora 50 which will award the winner with $56,000.