Story By: A2DPR / KYLE REINHART RACING – ROSSBURG, OH – Kyle Reinhardt and the Grove Racing team rolled into Eldora Speedway last weekend for the 4-Crown Nationals coming off a win and runner-up finish at Fremont Speedway.
The combination of Reinhardt and Grove has been clicking since they joined forces in mid-August, putting up seven top-ten finishes in their first ten races, including five top-five finishes and the victory.
Given it was the first trip to Eldora Speedway together for Reinhardt and the Grove Racing team, they hoped to use Friday night’s Befour the Crowns Showdown event to dial in the Grove Racing, Capitol Renegade, Bakers Mobile Home Transport, Coors Banquet Beer, Henry’s Wrecker Service No.45 for Saturday’s final points race of the 2023 All Star Circuit of Champions season.
Unfortunately, the team experienced engine issues during time trials and ended up 23rd in Group A, putting them in a deep hole for the night.
Reinhardt was able to gain three spots in his heat race, which put him into the B-main. After moving forward somewhat in that race, the engine issues reared their head again and Reinhardt retired for the night.
Saturday night Reinhardt was just a tick off in qualifying, landing 5th in his group. The Neptune City, NJ native slipped to 6th at the start of his heat race, battled back to 5th a few laps later, but ultimately ended up 6th.
In the B-main, Reinhardt showed his team was getting his No.45 dialed in. He charged from his 6th starting spot into 3rd by lap two and he never let go of the transfer spot.
The trend continued in the 30-lap 4-Crown Nationals A-main. Reinhardt started 23rd but at the drop of the green surged forward to 16th. He cracked the top fifteen a few laps later.
Reinhardt momentarily held 14th just past the midpoint of the race, but at the checkers had recorded a 15th place finish after overcoming engine issues against a stout field.
“We just got behind the 8-ball all weekend starting with engine problems on Friday.“, Reinhardt said. “I’m proud of our team. Everyone worked hard and we improved for Saturday.“
Reinhardt and the Grove Racing No.45 team will compete in the High Limit Series event at Lernerville Speedway on Tuesday, September 26th.
This weekend, Reinhardt will dust off the Capitol Renegade, Coors Banquet Beer, Henry’s Wrecker Service No.91 for the National Open at Williams Grove Speedway.