Story By: A2DPR / KODY HARTLAUB RACING – ABBOTTSTOWN, PA – Nobody expects more of Kody Hartlaub than he does of himself.
The 28 year old knows he has the resources and knowledge to be successful thanks to numerous staunch supporters who believe wholeheartedly in his abilities. Hartlaub also knows the competition in the 410 sprint car ranks is tough and leaves little room for mistakes.
All of that is driving the East Berlin, PA resident, who is in his first full season in the division, to work hard on and off the track to get the results the team deserves.
SEASON OPENER
The annual Northeastern U.S. kickoff sprint car race, known as The Icebreaker at Lincoln Speedway in Pennsylvania served as the 2024 season debut for Hartlaub and the J Fuels, Brewer Home Improvements, Moose Blocks, Bigham Appraisals, Griffith Plumbing Services, T&N Solutions, Smith Titanium, Herr Electric, Siegel Racing, Pretzel Boy, Barbie Miller – Realtor, KH Suspension, Don Ott Racing Engines, Pruitt Innovation & Technologies, AL Driveline, DMI Performance, SpeedComm, Ninety Five Motorsports No.95.
The February 25th event was also the kickoff of Hartlaub’s first full season in a 410 sprint car. He started 8th in the first heat race, hoping to somehow find a way to a top three redraw spot on the tricky daytime surface. An early bobble cost Hartlaub track position, dropping him to the tail of the field. He was unable to recover any spots by the end of the 10-lap qualifier.
Hartlaub and his team learned from that seat time and made adjustments for the 30-lap A-main. From the 25th starting spot he turned in a performance that was a combination of battling and surviving.
When the checkered flag fell, Hartlaub was up to 13th, enough to earn the Hard Charger Award for his efforts.
IT’S A MYSTERY
One week later the day got off to a much better start for Hartlaub. He was 4th quick overall in hot laps in a 31-car field, then he drove to a runner up finish from the 3rd starting spot in his heat race to earn the 6th starting spot in the 30-lap A-main.
The early March show was once again conducted on an afternoon racing surface. Hartlaub grabbed a top five spot in the early going, then settled into 6th for ten circuits.
Just past the midpoint of the race, Hartlaub entered turn three just as he had done sixteen times already in the main event but this time he found himself upside down a split second later. The Littlestown, PA native took a hard tumble on the wall and came to rest in the high groove of the speedway.
“That was the biggest hit I’ve ever taken. I’m alright but the frame and shocks are junk.”, Hartlaub shared.
“I have no idea what happened. That’s actually the most frustrating part. It’s tough losing a car this early in the year.”
BOUNCE BACK
Weather claimed Hartlaub’s plans to race Lincoln Speedway again over the March 9th weekend but he returned March 16th to get back to business. After starting outside the front row of his heat race, he dropped to the low side of the track.
Hartlaub got just a little too low and made contact with the inside guard rail. He continued to fight but the impact had affected the steering, causing him to slide backwards to an 8th place finish.
The Ninety Five Motorsports team went to work to make repairs in time for the B-main. Others jumped in to help and the team made the call. Hartlaub proceeded to make it worth everyone’s time. He finished 4th, putting the team in the main event.
For the second time in three feature events, Hartlaub showed he knew how to pass cars. He put on a steady run toward the top ten, reaching 12th by lap nineteen. When the dust finally settled he was officially 13th in the final rundown, another solid recovery.
“I think my first three races of my 410 rook season can be summed up by one word…mistakes.”, Hartlaub posted on social media. “The run in the feature was good but it still doesn’t show the speed this car and team have. Thank you to Tyler Ross for jumping in and helping us get things buttoned up in time for the B-main Saturday. I will get better and be better.”
Responses from many in the racing community were highly supportive of Hartlaub and offered encouraging sentiments.
“I can’t think my partners and all the fans enough for their continuing support. I am going to learn something every week I’m sure the team will too. We worked through it together in the 358’s and we kept digging until we reached the top. I have every bit of confidence we are capable of doing that in a 410 too. It’s just going to take a little time.”, Hartlaub said.
UP NEXT
This Saturday and Sunday will deliver Hartlaub’s first two-race weekend of the 2024 season. He will be back at Lincoln Speedway in Abbottstown, PA March 23rd and the following evening he will compete at BAPS Motor Speedway in York Haven, PA.