PHOENIX, AZ – There is an old adage that says you are never out of school. And even though Kelly Admiraal is focused on graduating high school later this spring, his education continues in his pursuit of climbing the NASCAR ladder. The Admiraal Racing team competed at Phoenix (AZ) International Raceway this past weekend in round one of the NASCAR K&N Pro Series and had a top ten finish within their grasp with less than ten laps to go when another old adage played out. The wrong place at the wrong time.
Admiraal has started just three NKNPS races in his career but has quickly adapted to the heavier NASCAR Touring cars. The race last Saturday evening would only be a 60-lap affair putting additional pressure on the team to ensure the car could turn a fast lap in the two-lap qualifying session.
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Admiraal put the #83 Western Camp Services Chevrolet into the 16th starting position for the race.
“I felt really comfortable in the car,” Admiraal offered. “Craig (Raudman, crew chief) knows how to set these cars up so all I have to do is get in and drive. We still have a lot to learn about each other but I have total confidence in Craig and the rest of the team which allows me to drive a little harder. I took it too easy in qualifying and that cost me. I will remember that for the next race.”
There were a lot of new things for the team to learn this past weekend.
One, when you start mid pack, how do you navigate the field. Guiding Admiraal on the radio was former NASCAR championship car owner Dave Reed, who is one of the best spotters in the business.
“Dave was awesome,” Admiraal said. “He really knows how to keep you calm and get you through traffic. I had a lot of confidence making passes with Dave on the radio.”
With less than ten laps to go, Admiraal was making a pass on the inside of another competitor for the 8th position when the car on the outside bounced off the turn four wall and cut across the nose of the #83 machine ending what would have been a best career finish.
Even though the team ended the day in the garage, they leave Phoenix. full of optimism for the rest of the season.
“We are only competing in a handful of races this year so we want to make the most of each start,” Admiraal said. “We/ I learned so much that we can apply going forward. I am confident that we are going to have great success.”
While it is true that you are never out of school. Kelly Admiraal and his team have certainly passed the latest test. The team will next be in action (Tentative) April 26-27 at Wenatchee (WA) Super Oval for the inaugural PASS Northwest Super Late Model event. The team’s next NASCAR K&N Pro Series start will be on the roadcourse at Sonoma (CA) Raceway June 22.
Western Camp Services LTD is Admiraal Racing’s primary corporate partner, backing the team’s diverse racing schedule that includes competition in NASCAR, Late Model Regional Touring, drag racing, and ice racing.
Admiraal Racing is owned by Menno Admiraal, a successful business entrepreneur and owner of Western Camp Services Ltd. based in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. The team is led by Driver/Director of Race Operations Ian Admiraal and supported by crew members: Theo, Badge, Daniel, Nolan, Adam, Dan and Ben. Admiraal Racing has corporate partnerships with Williams Scotsman, Western Camp Services, Empire Camp, Paradise RV, Gee & Gee Racing, and Emond Racing.
About Admiraal Racing: Based in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, the Admiraal Racing team competes in a variety of racing disciplines throughout the year including circle track racing, drag racing, and ice racing. The team is owned by Menno Admiraal who also is president of Western Camp Services, the largest independently-owned camp and catering company in
Western Canada. Western Camp Services provides services to the Natural Resource Industry, offering new camps from 20 to 500 men in Western Canada; lodging, groceries, kitchen and housekeeping personnel are included.
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