NEW SMYRNA BEACH, FL- One night after an impressive top-6 finish, Andrew Gresel saw his World Series hopes dashed only 32 laps into the Pro Late Model division’s headline 100-lap event.
‘That drive home might feel a little longer after tonight’, admitted a visibly frustrated Gresel as the team worked to load their damaged ride. ‘This Pro Late Model division has alot of talented drivers, but when things go bad, it happens in a hurry’.
Gresel was running inside of the top-10 when Tim Sargent came down across the track exiting turn-2.
‘The backstretch is the toughest spot on this racetrack when it comes to wrecks’, explained Gresel. ‘You’re carrying so much speed coming off the corner, as soon as someone checks up in front of you it’s awful hard to get slowed down in time’.
Gresel was able to avoid the spinning Sargent, but was caught in a melee that started just behind him. Sending his #81 hard into the inside retaining wall.
‘We were able to get slowed down in time, but got trunked from behind us’, said Gresel. ‘The momentum sent us into the inside wall backwards and absolutely mangled the rear-end of the car’.
Gresel will depart the World Series two days early, after a pair of impressive top-6 finishes.
‘We’re still walking out of here with our heads held high’ insists Gresel. ‘This isn’t the way we wanted the week to end, but we still accomplished alot. My guys were there for me when I needed them and we battled through some long odds just to get back on track after our Night 2 wreck. I’m proud of this entire team’.
Despite the disappointment, Gresel maintains he’s not finished with New Smyrna Speedway.
‘We’ll be back in 2015. Maybe in a Super Late Model’
Gresel’s 2014 World Series trip has been made possible thanks to support from Sauble Falls Tent & Trailer Park, HY-Grade Roofing, Canadian Union of Skilled Workers, Have1.com Printing Services, London Recreational and Sauble Speedway.
Fans can follow Andrew on Twitter @SaubleFalls81.
By Spencer Lewis
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