PETERSEN MEDIA- The DIRTCar Nationals prove to be an intense, and exciting opening to the season every year, and 2012 was no different as Cody Darrah recorded 2 top-ten finishes while qualifying in the top-10 three nights with third, fourth, and sixth quick efforts.
The five-day event got underway on Wednesday under the All-Star Ciruit of Champions banner, and Darrah timed his Schroth Racing/Team ASE/Curb Records backed entry in with the 13th quickest lap of the 40 cars entered.
Heat race action saw a locked down Volusia Speedway Park produce single file races, and Darrah scored a 4th place finish, transferring him into the feature, starting from the seventh spot.
In the feature, Darrah and his Kasey Kahne Racing/Factory Kahne Shocks/Speedway Engines powered No.4 searched the ½ mile facility, but ultimately fell to the 11th spot at the stripe.
Thursday festivities were also under the All Star banner, and Darrah got off to a quick start as he stopped the clocks with the sixth fastest lap amongst the star-studded field.
Darrah continued to show speed in his heat, as he used an aggressive move in the first corner of the first lap, the climb to the second spot, where he chased Tim Shaffer across the line, and also transferred to the Dash.
Sharing the front row with Daryn Pittman, Darrah followed Pittman into the first pair of corners, and stayed close with the veteran driver, however finished second, but would ultimately start on the front row of the feature.
On the initial start of the feature, Darrah would move to the top side of the track looking for traction, and fell back to third.
As the race clicked off laps, Darrah fell to fourth, were the fourth through seventh place cars were in a heated battle.
At the stripe, Darrah lost the sixth spot to his KKR teammate, Joey Saldana, and finished in the seventh spot.
Friday night’s scheduled World of Outlaw opener was rained out and rescheduled as part of a day-night Sunday double-header.
The Saturday portion went off with beautiful Florida weather, and Darrah timed his Kasey Kahne backed entry in with the fourth fastest lap of the day.
Lining up in the second row of his heat race, the Red Lion, PA native would maintain his starting spot at the finish, and transfer into the first World of Outlaws feature of the season.
Gridding the field from the 12th spot, Darrah would maintain his position through the duration of the feature, and cross the stripe in the 10th spot.
Sunday proved to be a wild afternoon as track conditions caused slow lap times, rubbered down track conditions, and shortened features.
Darrah kicked the busy Sunday off well as he timed the Roth Motorsports/Sage Fruit backed entry in with a third quick effort.
As laps continued to get turned on the Volusia Speedway under the Florida sun, the track began taking rubber early, and as drivers fought for the rubber, Darrah scored a fourth place run in his heat again transferring to the feature.
Starting mid-pack, Darrah was collected in an early race mess, that forced him pit side for repairs, and put him at the rear of the field for the shortened 20-lap feature.
Saving his tires, and biding his time, Darrah was able to work his way forward as others had tire issues, and scored a 16th place finish with one final “night” of events remaining.
Later Sunday night, the youngster timed in 21st quickest on the worn out race track.
Starting behind the inversion in his heat, Darrah was able to make quick work, and move up to the third spot in his heat, and transfer to his fifth feature in as many attempts at the DIRTCar Nationals.
With his qualifying effort, Darrah found himself deep in what was another shortened feature due to track conditions, and tire-ware concerns.
Starting 19th, Darrah was unable to do much in the feature, as he closed out his the event with an 18th place finish.
“It was a wild week that saw a little bit of everything,” Darrah explained. “My guys did what they could with all the tricky tracks we saw. I can’t thank them and all of our sponsors enough for supporting me. Five races in five nights is tough on everyone and I’m looking forward to getting back in action in Vegas.”
ON TAP- Cody Darrah and his Kasey Kahne Racing team will now head west for the entire month of March, as they are next in action March 8th 2012 at the Dirt Track at Las Vegas.
STAY CONNECTED- Check in to www.codydarrah.com or visit his facebook page, http://www.facebook.com/pages/Cody-Darrah/164513250262145?ref=ts for the latest news on Cody.
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- Petersen Media on Feb 19, 2012
- Article Date: 2/19/2012