Story By: A2DPR / KODY HARTLAUB RACING – EAST BERLIN, PA – As the month of May came to a close, Kody Hartlaub embarked on an opportunity that arose after a hard crash left him short of equipment.
He would pilot the Trone No.39 for at least a few weeks to fill the void. After that, well, that would be a bridge to be crossed when the time came.
DEBUT WEEKEND
The opening weekend for Hartlaub and the Trone team had a couple of glimpses of potential with a 7th-place qualifying effort and a 3rd-place heat race finish at Lincoln. With full fields both nights, the feature finishes, 17th and 15th, were respectable for a new venture.
For Hartlaub, the first two races, and maybe even the first few weeks, would not be about stats and finishes. It would be about developing a working chemistry and communication with his new team.
Transitions like this typically lead to a lot of adjustments. The driver sometimes adjusts his approach a little to accommodate a crew chief and more often a team makes equipment and setup changes to make their new driver comfortable.
Opening night at Williams Grove Speedway adjustments were ongoing throughout the night. The same was true the following night at Lincoln Speedway. It was all in the name of finding the right combination to be fast together.
SPEEDY PROGRESS
Heading into their second weekend together, the team, led by crew chief Kevin Frey, assembled a new car for Hartlaub. The effort clearly was worth it.
Hartlaub kicked off the night with an impressive Friday night drive from 5th to 2nd in his heat race to earn the 4th starting spot for the A-main.
In the 25-lap finale, Hartlaub was again impressive. He grabbed the 3rd spot on the opening lap and found his rhythm. On lap nine, the Littlestown (PA) native grabbed the runner-up spot and set his sights on leader Cameron Smith.
With a few circuits remaining, defending track champion Freddie Rahmer wrestled the runner-up spot away from Hartlaub who ultimately brought the Trone No.39 home with a podium finish in 3rd.
Hartlaub wrapped up his weekend at Lincoln Speedway the following night where the results continued to be encouraging for East Berlin (PA) resident in his first full 410 sprint car season. He timed 6th quickest in the field.
In heat race action, Hartlaub continued to impress by logging a 2nd place finish behind veteran Lucas Wolfe.
In the nightcap, Hartlaub started 9th and brought home a very respectable top-ten finish.
UP NEXT
Discussions were held this week about the path forward. The result: Hartlaub will remain in the car through the end of the year and his partners will be right there with him.
“I want to add a huge thank you to my sponsors, J Fuels and Brewer first and foremost, for allowing me to do this and following me with this venture.”, Hartlaub said.
Hartlaub and the Trone 39 team will return to Williams Grove Speedway and Lincoln Speedway this Friday and Saturday.