For Immediate Release
Contact: Freebird Motorsports Marketing
Email: freebird_motorsports@comcast.net
Phone: 303-325-6690
May 23, 2011
Sheil Finishes Sixth in Opener at Colorado National Speedway
Dacona, CO. - After a long off season, Chris Sheil driving the Mountain States Toyota, Mikula Racing owned Supermodified opened up there season at Colorado National Speedway in Dacona, CO on a winding cold Saturday night with a sixth place finish.
"The night started off strong” said Sheil afterwards. “We did not come out for the pre-season test sessions so we had to see what the car had right out of the gate. We were fast from the start. Hot laps ran well and shaking the car down for the first time this season went smooth. We were able to move into the lead in the feature and the car again was amazing. My crew did an outstanding job getting this car ready in the off season which showed from the start”.
Sheil started fifth for the 25 Lap “A” Feature with Joe Gallegos starting on the pole. On the opening lap going into turn three, Sheil on the inside of Ira Castor with Rich Castor Jr. on the outside of Ira, making it 3-wide going into the turn. Castor made contact with Castor Jr., with Castor Jr. slamming into the outside wall. After the restart, Sheil worked his way up through traffic and passed Gallegos for the lead on lap 5. Sheil had a commanding lead for over half of the race when the car was getting loose. On lap 20, veteran Super Modified driver Harold Evans passed Sheil for the lead. On the next lap, while challenging Evans for the lead, the motor expired going into turn 3, ending what was going to be a great opening night for Sheil and Mountain States Toyota Mikula Racing Team.
“During the feature I could feel the right rear tire going away so I started to roll the corners slower for about 5 laps to try and conserve my tire. I thought that if Harold (Evans) caught me during the race I would be able to conserve the tire enough to be able to race him at the end. He made a great pass coming out of four with 5 laps or so to go and when I went to pass him back in turn three the motor let go. It was a shame that the season started off this way but we will get it put back together and come back stronger.
“I wanted to thank my crew and family for the support on Saturday and also thanks to Mountain States Toyota and Prestige Auto Center"
Next race for Sheil and Mountain States Toyota Mikula Racing Team will be at Colorado National Speedway June 4th.
