 HAGERSTOWN,
MD (July 31-August 7) -- In its first few months of quarter midget
competition, Hoosier Tire is definitely making its presence felt. No
where, to date, has that been more evident than it was during the
recent Quarter Midgets of America "Dirt Grand" event held
August 1st through 8th--one of three annual events for the world's
oldest youth motorsports organization. The Dirt Grand brings together
the brightest up and coming dirt track teams and future stars for
their chance to shine. And shine they did at the 2004 edition staged
on the grounds of the historic Hagerstown Speedway in Hagerstown, MD.
Only a handful of the 528 entries utilized the brand new Hoosier
Tire quarter midget tires, but those that did enjoyed impressive
results. Fourteen year old, Tyler Nuckles who has done the vast
majority of testing for the Lakeville, IN based company, drove a pair
of Hoosier-shod entries in the "Heavy B" and "Heavy
AA" divisions. Following disappointing qualifying runs utilizing
another tire brand on one of the cars, Hoosier's Quarter Midget
Product Manager Todd Seitz and Tyler's father Jeff made the decision
to commit to Hoosier tires for three of the four corners on their
"Bullrider" brand chassis. "Todd's input and amazing
knowledge of dirt track racing was indispensable in our efforts. It's
obvious that this company (Hoosier) is serious about this sport when
they hire a guy like this and send him to all three 'Grand'
events," commented the elder Nuckles.
Starting in the E Main and D Main races, respectively, the two-time
national champion--who had never before competed on dirt had
fence-hangers watching. "Everyone was interested to see how both
Tyler and the Hoosier's would perform," related Tyler's father.
Ironically, it was he who, along with brother Jerry and the late Rich
Vogler, had done much of the development work when Hoosier began
making full midget tires years ago.
Tyler transferred all the way up to the A Main in both hotly
contested divisions with dominating victories in two of the three
transfer races in the Alcohol powered "Heavy AA" class. In
the "Heavy B" A Main, he started last in the field and
advanced to fourth position. When the third place car spun and Nuckles
swung low to avoid a collision and he was hit from behind and sent
cartwheeling down the track. With a broken frame and dislodged chain,
the crew went pit-side for repairs. Tyler reemerged but the car was
not the same and he struggled to a disappointing seventh place finish.
Then came the 40-lap "Heavy AA" A Main. The Groveport,
Ohio Madison High School Freshman started eighth and quickly advanced.
He moved past the race's polesitter on lap 19 and set out after
hometown favorite, and fast qualifier, Michael Collins. Nuckles closed
quickly on the race leader and began to apply pressure on Collins, but
that's when the wheels fell off his victory march. A bent right rear
wheel caused a tire to deflate and despite a quick pit stop for a new
Hoosier, his comeback hopes were dimmed as he was mired in heavy
slower traffic. Nuckles had to settle for a fifth place finish.
Although the final results don't show it, Nuckles' nine race
journey was one of the big stories of the 2004 "Dirt Grand"
and not lost on the rest of the 528 competitors was the impact Hoosier
tires will have on the future of Quarter Midget racing.
For more information about Hoosier Quarter Midget tires, contact
your nearest Hoosier Distributor.
|
