Eddie Sharp Racing Post Race Report
RACE: Jeff's Auto Sales 150 (UARA-STARS Series)
TRACK: Newport (Tenn.) Motor Speedway
DATE: June 16, 2012
WILL GALLAHER SCORES CAREER-BEST UNITED AUTO RACING ASSOCIATION (UARA) FINISH AT NEWPORT (TENN.) MOTOR SPEEDWAY
Will Gallaher, driver of the No. 6 ESR Development Chevrolet Impala
DENVER, N.C. (June 18, 2012) - Will Gallaher and his Eddie Sharp Racing (ESR) team returned to Newport (Tenn.) Motor Speedway this weekend for the United Auto Racing Association's (UARA) Jeff's Auto Sales 150. In an event marred with accidents and collisions, Gallaher was able to race a clean race and come home in the 11th position. It was the rookie driver's best finish of the 2012 UARA-STARS season.
Gallaher and the No. 6 ESR Development team competed in the weekly racing series last week at Newport Motor Speedway to gain familiarity at the track and prepare for this weekend's Jeff's Auto Sales 150. The 22-year-old returned to the 4/10-mile speedway this Friday and Saturday for two practice sessions, before qualifying Saturday afternoon and racing Saturday night. Gallaher worked with substitute crew chief Shane Mayo and ESR NASCAR Camping World Truck Series (NCWTS) driver Cale Gale to adapt to a different Chevrolet Impala than what he had raced the prior week, and continued to work on improving his driving technique around the fast bullring.
Gallaher qualified in the 21st position, and spent the first 40 laps trying to settle into a rhythm. Initially uncomfortable with his car, the No. 6 ESR Chevrolet Impala finally got dialed in
and Gallaher logged competitive lap times throughout the second half of the race to stay on par with the rest of the UARA-STARS competition.
In a race of survival where the majority of drivers went home with damaged racecars, Gallaher was able to avoid all the on-track incidents and keep his car clean. By the conclusion of the 150-lap event, the rookie was scored in the 11th position marking his career-best UARA-STARS finish.
"We had a very eventful weekend," commented Gallaher following the Jeff's Auto Sales 150. "The car suffered a tight condition early, but like always, the team pulled out all the stops to make it right. I really can't thank them enough for all their hard work. At the end of the race we came home with our best result of the season. It's really a testament to the entire team and everyone at Eddie Sharp Racing. I can't wait to get back in the car this week at Hickory!"
The UARA-STARS return to Hickory (N.C.) Motor Speedway this weekend for the fourth annual Banjo Matthews Memorial 150 on Saturday, June 23. Grandstands open at 4:30 p.m. ET with qualifying scheduled for 5:00 p.m. ET. Gallaher will join other UARA-STARS drivers for an autograph session at 6:20 p.m. ET, followed by pre-race ceremonies at 7:30 p.m. ET.
BRANDON JONES RACES TO A TOP-FIVE FINISH AT NEWPORT (TENN.) MOTOR SPEEDWAY
Brandon Jones, driver of the No. 33 Chevrolet Impala for Eddie Sharp Racing
DENVER, N.C. (June 18, 2012) - Brandon Jones brought home his career-best United Auto Racing Association (UARA) STARS finish this weekend at Newport (Tenn.) Motor Speedway. After competing at the 4/10-mile speedway last weekend in the weekly late model stock division, Jones was able to race to a fourth-place finish in the Jeff's Auto Sales 150 on Saturday night, June 16.
Jones worked closely with former NASCAR Sprint Cup Series crew chief Lee McCall and NASCAR Camping World Truck Series driver Cale Gale, as well as the rest of his Eddie Sharp Racing (ESR) crew, to adjust to the shock and spring rules for the UARA-STARS series at Newport Motor Speedway. Jones benefitted from having time to learn the track the prior week, and proved to have a very competitive car throughout the weekends two practice sessions.
The rookie driver qualified in the 14th position and decided to hang back throughout the first half of the 150-lap event waiting for the race to unfold. By the second-half of the event, Jones began his charge to the front. He raced competitive laps and got aggressive with the other drivers fighting for positions on the tight bullring. When many competitors ended their night with cars damaged beyond repair, Jones was able to race a smart race to remain in the hunt for the checkered flag. Jones crossed the finish line in the fourth position, marking his career-best UARA-STARS finish, and his first top-five result in the series.
"We had a great UARA race at Newport Motor Speedway on Saturday night," commented Jones. "Earlier this month Lee McCall came on board as my crew chief and Cale Gale was with us to help with car setup and strategy. The car was fast all weekend thanks to my entire ESR team. We were patient in the race and worked our way from 14th to fourth for my first top five in a UARA race. I am really looking forward to going to the UARA race in Hickory (N.C.) this weekend with the experience and momentum from Newport."
Jones will climb back behind the wheel for the UARA-STARS fourth annual Banjo Matthews Memorial 150 on Saturday, June 23. It will be the series second stop at Hickory (N.C.) Motor Speedway this season. Grandstands open at 4:30 p.m. ET followed by qualifying at 5:00 p.m. ET. Jones will join other drivers from the UARA-STARS Series for an autograph session at 6:20 p.m. ET with pre-race ceremonies scheduled to begin at 7:30 p.m. ET.
Media Contact:
Ashleigh Aungst
Public Relations Manager
Eddie Sharp Racing
Office: 704.489.8809
Mobile: 717.222.0664
AAungst@TeamESR.com
Eddie Sharp Racing | 3570 Denver Drive | Denver | NC | 28037
Photos by Drew Heiwarter
