Story By: A2DPR / ZACH NEWLIN RACING – PORT ROYAL, PA – Zach Newlin has split his seat time between the 358 sprint cars and 410 sprint cars this season but as a result of schedules, the weather, and waiting on his 410 engine to be finished, it has been difficult to get into a rhythm.
Saturday night he returned to the seat of the Mansberger Motorsports No.21m 358 sprint car after a four-week break in the team’s schedule. It was also his BAPS Motor Speedway season debut.
A LITTLE LUCK WOULD BE NICE
The night started out strong for Newlin. He led wire to wire to take the victory in the the first of three heat races for the thirty-car field.
Newlin’s good fortune seemed to end there. With twelve drivers participating in the redraw (the top four finishers from each heat race), he pulled the eleven pill, putting him inside row six to start the main event.
It would be a tall order but it certainly wasn’t impossible to race into the top five or better from that far back if the car was right. Unfortunately, Newlin battled a tight race car from the start of the 25-lap A-main. He struggled to a 19th-place finish.
410 PROGRAM UPDATE
Newlin debuted his family-owned 410 sprint car team in mid-June. Through four starts they have made three A-mains but they have battled a recurring issue that has hampered their ability to put a complete night together.
A series of potential electrical and fueling system components that could possibly be the root cause of the mid-race issues have been explored and ruled out over the course of the four starts. The team believes they have made some progress since their last start, so they are looking forward to getting back to the track.
UP NEXT
This weekend Newlin will return to Williams Grove Speedway in the Mansberger Motorsports No.21m 358 sprint car for a Summer Series event. After capturing a victory there in 2023, this season has been an up and down one at the Mechanicsburg oval for Newlin. He owns two podium finishes in six starts but his average finish is just outside the top ten.
Saturday night the Millerstown, PA driver will strap into the Ron’s RV Sales, Butler Hill Maple Farm, Tuscarora Roofing, Dillman Hauling No.11z 410 sprint car at Port Royal Speedway.