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Destiney Hays and Dan Simpson Weekend Recap
Rio Vista, CA, August 26….The start for the Western swing with the World of Outlaws saw both Dan Simpson Racing drivers competing at tracks they had never seen before. First night, Tuesday August 19th, was at Billings Motorsports Park's 3/8 mile oval followed by a two day event on the 3/8 mile oval at Castrol Raceway in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
The team arrived to windy, 100 degree weather in the Billings area which would cause the staff and racers at Billings Motorsports Park headaches all night long. Destiney Hays was the first team car to qualify; she went out 24th and stopped the clocks at 13.373, 19th fastest. Dan Simpson drew the 30th qualifying spot and he timed in at 14.150, good enough for 24th.
Heat race action saw Simpson in the first heat starting 8th; he had a good run on what was a deterating surface and still managed a sixth place finish. Hays was in the third heat and the track had become very challenging with the wind and heat taking its toll on the track. She started 6th and moved to 5th, just one spot short of the all important transfer spot.
The track crew re-cut and watered the race track after the heats, trying to improve the racing conditions, but the B-main was a one groove bottom lane affair. At the start the outside row was freight-trained and dropped back two to three spots until they could get to the bottom. Hays started on the outside of the second row and at the start dropped back to 6th working her way back to third and a transfer to the Feature. Dan Simpson started 9th in the B-Main and worked his way up to 8th before the checkered flag.
Hays started in the 21st spot for the A-Main, and at times, it was hard to see the cars on the track due to the dust, but she managed to finish 18th in her first Outlaws race since returning to the driver's seat.
The following Friday and Saturday saw the team racing across the border into Edmonton, Alberta, Canada at the Castrol Raceway. The weather for both nights of racing was perfect and the facility was first class. Simpson started the night qualifying 20th and Hays 22nd just behind the World of Outlaw drivers. Heat race action saw Simpson finishing 9th in. his heat and Hays, who had to come back from hitting the wall after contact by another car, made her way back to finish 7th at the checkered flag. Both drivers started the B-Main knowing they had to finish in the top 4 in a very stout field. The track had become very challenging and passing was at a premium. When the 12 lap affair was complete, it was an 8th and 9th place finish for the team.
Saturday was another Chamber of Commerce day in Edmonton and the team was ready to take on Castrol Raceway. Destiney qualified early and her time held up for 22nd quick but Simpson drew a late qualifying number and timed in 30th fast for the night. Heat race action saw Simpson finish in the 9th spot and Hays 10th in their respective heats.
Both drivers looking for a top 6 finish in the B-main and a transfer to the feature, found the track very challenging and hard to pass resulting in a 7th place finish for Hays, just short of the transfer spot with Simpson finishing 13th.
After the first three nights with the World of Outlaws, Simpson stated" we came to learn from the Outlaws and we will improve every time we race with the best in the World. These teams are true professionals and we enjoy racing with the Outlaws organization".
The Dan Simpson Racing team will now head for Skagit Raceway in Alger, Washington for two nights of action with the World of Outlaws. Destiney will be making her first appearance at the very fast Steve Bitler prepared track while Simpson is returning for the second time after a good run at this years Dirt Cup.
Follow the team as they race four nights in five days over the upcoming Labor Day Holiday, by logging on to www.dansinpsonracing.com.
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