(Photo by DB3 Imaging)
Inside Line Promotions – ROSSBURG, Ohio (July 21, 2015) – Caleb Helms showed several bright spots during last weekend’s 32nd annual Kings Royal.
“The results were disappointing, but it was definitely a sign of growth,” he said. “We qualified decent both nights, which is more than half the battle.”
Helms opened the World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series doubleheader at Eldora Speedway on Friday by qualifying sixth in his group to start the Knight Before the Kings Royal. That lined him up on the outside of the front row for a heat race.
“They called the initial start back in the heat race,” he said. “I was taking off a little early, but waiting for the polesitter to go. I gave my motor time to catch up because I was having problems with my motor taking off. We both took off about the same time, but they called it off. On the next start I waited too long. It just wouldn’t get off the corner.”
Helms ended with a fourth-place result, which relegated him to a Last Chance Showdown. Unfortunately, a slow start hurt him once again and he ended sixth in the consolation race to miss a transfer.
“We changed the gear and checked the fuel setting and made some changes for Saturday,” he said. “We were ok for going out pretty late on the second night. I thought it was an awesome lap, but it was just an ok lap. It did put us on the front row of a heat race though.”
Helms kicked off Saturday’s 32nd annual, $50,000-to-win Kings Royal by timing in 23rd during qualifying, which started him on the outside of the front row of a heat race. However, a rain delay of more than four hours stalled the action.
Once his heat race hit the track Helms ran into a familiar problem on the start.
“I couldn’t get off the corner on the start,” he said. “I tried to time it just right so I could be there when Lee Jacobs was taking off. Once I got going the motor was fine. I just couldn’t get it to take off. It wasn’t stumbling; it just wasn’t going right away.”
Helms stayed in second on the start of the race, but he quickly closed on Jacobs for the lead.
“I was about to pass him and around Lap 4 my motor blew,” he said. “I got into the next corner and pulled into the infield. We found out we broke a rod.”
Helms was unable to finish the remainder of the night.
He is slated to return to UNOH All Star Circuit of Champions competition this Friday at Hartford Motor Speedway in Hartford, Mich., where he will make his debut, and Saturday at Wilmot Raceway in Wilmot, Wis.
QUICK RESULTS –
July 17 – Eldora Speedway near Rossburg, Ohio – Qualifying: 6; Heat race: 4 (2); B Main: 6 (3).
July 18 – Eldora Speedway near Rossburg, Ohio – Qualifying: 23; Heat race: DNF (2); C Main: DNS (11).
SEASON STATS –
36 races, 0 wins, 2 top fives, 6 top 10s, 12 top 15s, 18 top 20s
UP NEXT –
Friday at Hartford Motor Speedway in Hartford, Mich., and Saturday at Wilmot Raceway in Wilmot, Wis., with the UNOH All Star Circuit of Champions
MEDIA LINKS –
Website: http://HelmsRacing40.wix.com/HelmsRacing
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Caleb_Helms40
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Helms.Motorsports
SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT – Helms Construction Inc.
Helms Construction Inc. is a general construction company based in Findlay, Ohio.
“Helms Construction Inc. is my father’s business, which helps us get from race to race,” Helms said. “The people who make Helms Construction Inc. successful are the ones who make this opportunity possible for us. My dad is the only reason I have had the opportunity to race and everything I’ve accomplished so far is directly related to him.”
Helms would also like to thank Shelves.com, Helms and Sons Excavating, Schoenfeld Headers, Kistler Racing Products, Kistler Engines and Larson Trucking & Heavy Equipment Repair for their continued support.
INSIDE LINE PROMOTIONS –
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To meet the media relations needs of your program by joining Team ILP, contact Shawn at 541-510-3663 or Shawn@InsideLinePromotions.com. For more information on Inside Line Promotions, visit http://www.InsideLinePromotions.com.