Tyler Ankrum Wins the Casey’s General Store 150
Tyler Ankrum’s Casey’s General Store’s Victory Lane celebration (Photo Credit: Jennifer Coleman Photography)
Sadler and Roderick fastest in practice for the U.S. Cellular 250 presented by The Rasmussen Group
NEWTON, Iowa (July 27, 2018) – After starting the day by being fastest in practice, Tyler Dippel continued to flex his muscles in qualifying. Dippel grabbed the Sukup “First in the Field” Award and led the field to green in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series Casey’s General Store 150.
The last time he started from the point, Dippel went on to win at Langley Speedway in Virginia back in April. Dippel was looking for a similar run at Iowa Speedway tonight as he hoped to close the points gap on his teammate, Tyler Ankrum.
But Dippel ran out of fuel just before the first break and had to be pushed back to pit road. With Dippel’s misfortune, it was his DGR-Crosley teammate, Ankrum, who raced to Casey’s General Store’s Victory Lane. It was the rookie’s third consecutive victory.
“My crew chief told me that it was going to be really close on fuel so my job got tougher,” said Ankrum. “Three wins in a row… I don’t have a real flashy background when it comes to my resume but to have four [wins] in my rookie year is very cool.”
Bob Bruncati Racing teammates Derek Thorn and Ryan Partridge finished second and third respectively. Partridge entered the race at Iowa Speedway with a one-point lead over Thorn. With the 2-3 finish, the Sunrise Ford drivers leave The Fastest Short Track on the Planet tied for the NASCAR K&N Pro Series West championship lead.
“We got really lucky today,” said Thorn. “For us to come out of here with a second and a third, compared to where I thought we were going to finish, today is a win.”
Ankrum will leave Iowa Speedway with a 30-point cushion over Dippel in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East standings.
Next up for the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East is Watkins Glen International on August 3. The NASCAR K&N Pro Series West will be in action at Evergreen Speedway on August 11.
The NASCAR Xfinity Series U.S. Cellular 250 presented by The Rasmussen Group is scheduled to begin at 4:20 p.m. CT on Saturday, July 28. Fans should plan to arrive at Iowa Speedway early to avoid congestion. Parking lots open at 10:00 a.m. CT with plenty of pre-race entertainment on tap.
Friday Iowa Notebook
Notebook Items:
Elliott Sadler and Casey Roderick Lead NASCAR Xfinity Series Practice Sessions
Iowa Speedway / Casey’s General Store Tornado Relief
Annual Post-Race Party on the Frontstretch
ELLIOTT SADLER AND CASEY RODERICK LEAD NASCAR XFINITY SERIES PRACTICE SESSIONS
Elliott Sadler, aboard the JR Motorsports No. 1 U.S. Cellular Chevrolet Camaro, posted the fastest single lap in the first practice session for the NASCAR Xfinity Series U.S. Cellular 250 presented by The Rasmussen Group with a speed of 130.999 mph.
He narrowly edged Christopher Bell (130.993 mph) by .001 seconds.
With a win tomorrow night, Bell could join elite company. With a trip to Casey’s General Store ‘s Victory Lane, he would become the first NASCAR Xfinity Series regular with a three-race winning streak since Dale Earnhardt Jr. in 1999. Kyle Busch did it four times between 2008 and 2016 but he was also running full-time in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series
Casey Roderick topped out at 131.617 mph to lead final practice on Friday afternoon. The 25-year-old is making his first NASCAR Xfinity Series start since 2012. Roderick is one of the winningest drivers in Super Late Model competition and is a three-time track champion of Five Flags Speedway in Pensacola, Florida – home of the prestigious Snowball Derby.
The Sukup “First in the Field” Award will be given to the fastest driver in NASCAR Xfinity Series qualifying. Qualifying for the NASCAR Xfinity Series U.S. Cellular 250 presented by The Rasmussen Group will begin at 2:05 p.m. CT on Saturday, July 28.
