​Sides Venturing to East Bay for Laid Back Event Supporting Long-Time Sponsor

Inside Line Promotions - BARBERVILLE, Fla. (Feb. 12, 2018) - Jason Sides is looking forward to a relaxing weekend at the Ronald Laney Memorial King of the 360s, which is hosted by East Bay Raceway Park this Thursday through Saturday.

"One of our biggest sponsors, Kimball Wetherington of Wetherington Tractor Service, Inc., is based down there and supports the track and event so we always look forward to spending time with him," he said. "It's a laid back weekend where we go to have fun. Of course we want to win, too."

Sides, who was the event champion in 2002, won a preliminary night at the bullring near Tampa, Fla., in 2015 and 2016. He placed fourth and 18 th in preliminary competition last year before ending eight during the finale.

The event will be one of the rare 360ci winged sprint car races of the season for Sides, whose 2018 campaign with the World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series began last weekend at Volusia Speedway Park during the DIRTcar Nationals.

Sides entered the week with at least one top-10 finish during the event for the last 11 years.

"We didn't qualify well and that put us behind to start each night," he said. "We raced our way into the show each night, but didn't put ourselves in a good enough position to capture a top 10. The track was heavy and fast the first two nights so it was tough to move forward."

Sides qualified 20th quickest and placed sixth in a heat race on Friday during the World of Outlaws season opener. That missed a lock-in position by only one spot and relegated Sides to the Last Chance Showdown. He placed third in the race to transfer into the 23rd starting position for the A Main.

"When you qualify back there you have to make up a lot of ground in the heat race," he said. "Otherwise you're buried in the Last Chance Showdown and then the main event if you make it in. We did what we could on a heavy, fast track."

Sides advanced a handful of positions to place 18th.

Similar circumstances played out on Saturday as Sides timed in 30 th quickest in qualifying, advanced from eighth to sixth in a heat race to again narrowly miss a lock-in position to the A Main. He charged from 10th to third place in the Last Chance Showdown and maneuvered from 23rd to 20th in the main event.

The weekend wrapped up on Sunday with Sides qualifying 11th quickest. A sixth-place heat race finish locked him into the A Main since there were only three heats.

"All three nights was the same thing," he said. "When you're starting at the back like that it doesn't give you many options because you're constantly surrounded by a lot of cars. Dirty air makes it tough to maneuver and just when you get rolling someone can chop you on the bottom lane or slide up in front of you on the top. Once you lose a little momentum it really slows you for a couple of laps."

QUICK RESULTS -

Feb. 9 - Volusia Speedway Park in Barberville, Fla. - Qualifying: 20; Heat race: 6 (5); B Main: 3 (3); Feature: 18 (23).

Feb. 10 - Volusia Speedway Park in Barberville, Fla. - Qualifying: 30; Heat race: 6 (8); B Main: 3 (10); Feature: 20 (23).

Feb. 11 - Volusia Speedway Park in Barberville, Fla. - Qualifying: 11; Heat race: 6 (4); Feature: 19 (17).

SEASON STATS -

3 races, 0 wins, 0 top fives, 0 top 10s, 0 top 15s, 3 top 20s

UP NEXT -

Thursday through Saturday at East Bay Raceway Park in Tampa, Fla., for the Ronald Laney Memorial King of the 360s

MEDIA LINKS -

Website: http://www.SidesMotorsports.com

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/SidesMotorsport

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Sides-Motorsports/283833970847?ref=br_tf

Contact: Shawn Miller
Inside Line Promotions
Shawn@InsideLinePromotions.com | (541) 510-3663

Mallett Records Two Top 10s During USCS Series Season-Opening Doubleheader

Inside Line Promotions - OCALA, Fla. (Feb. 12, 2018) - Jordon Mallett posted a pair of top-10 finishes last weekend during the opening USCS Series doubleheader of the season.

"It seemed rough to us," he said. "We had a lot of issues Friday night. The brakes were dragging around the track. After hot laps we worked on it and thought we had it figured out. Then after the dash the body caught on fire and it burned up some lines."

Mallett advanced from fourth to second place in the dash, but his night was hampered moments later when his car caught on fire in the pits as he headed back to his trailer. The fire was quickly extinguished, but the damage forced the team to hustle prior to the heat race.

"It was quite a bit of thrashing to get it back together," he said. "The brakes was the least of our concern at that point. I am thankful for my Brown and Miller Racing Solutions hoses. The fire burned the outer jackets off, but the inner hose was not compromised."

The brake issue slowed the team in a heat race, in which Mallett finished fifth after starting fourth. That relegated the team to a B Main. Mallett ended seventh, which forced him to use a provisional for the first time in his career.

"We got the brakes fixed between the B Main and the A Main," he said. "We found a residual line was broken. We had a great car in the feature. If we didn't have all those issues early on I think we could have been a contender."

Mallett charged from 23rd to an eighth-place finish, which was the second-most cars passed.

He returned to the track on Saturday for the event finale. Mallett won a heat race after starting third, which lined him up on the outside of the second row for the main event.

"They reworked the track right before the A Main and it threw us a curveball," he said. "We just missed it with the setup. The car was too tight when it needed to be loose and too loose when it needed to be tight. There's no sugar coating it. We just missed it. I backed up to 14 th or so within the first 10 laps, but when the track started to come in we clawed back to 10th."

Mallett used a late rally to capture a 10th-place finish.

He is scheduled to return to action Feb. 23-24 at Southern Raceway in Milton, Fla., with the USCS Series.

QUICK RESULTS -

Feb. 9 - Bubba Raceway Park in Ocala, Fla. - Dash: 2 (4); Heat race: 5 (4); B Main: 7 (6); Feature: 8 (23).

Feb. 10 - Bubba Raceway Park in Ocala, Fla. - Heat race: 1 (3); Feature: 10 (4).

SEASON STATS -

2 races, 0 wins, 0 top fives, 2 top 10s, 2 top 15s, 2 top 20s

UP NEXT -

Feb. 23-24 at Southern Raceway in Milton, Fla., with the USCS Series

MEDIA LINKS -

Website: http://jordonmallett.myracepass.com

Twitter: https://twitter.com/jmmotorsports14

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jordonmallettmotorsports

SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT - Porter Commercial Refrigeration

Porter Commercial Refrigeration, which was created in 1992 and is based in Greenbrier, Ark., provides the finest refrigeration equipment sales, quality service and installation for supermarkets, c-stores, restaurants, warehouses, processing plants and ice machines. For more information, visit http://www.PorterRefrigeration.com .

"Porter Commercial Refrigeration is a huge supporter of our team," Mallett said. "They are always stepping up to help us however they can and we really appreciate the partnership."

Mallett would also like to thank Water for Christ, Sinco, Inc., Autometer, Brown and Miller Racing Solutions, Callies Racing Products, DHR Suspension, Dynotech Race Engines, FK Rod Ends, Fuel Safe Systems, Hero Graphics, Hilborn Fuel Injection, ISC Racers Tape, K&N Engineering, Lone Star Super Gas (Sunoco), Racing Optics, Schoenfeld Headers, Simpson Race Products, Smiley's Racing Products and Superior Bearing and Supply for their continued support.

Contact: Shawn Miller
Inside Line Promotions
Shawn@InsideLinePromotions.com | (541) 510-3663

Rilat Excited to Start Season and Honor Friend at Ronald Laney Memorial King of the 360s

Inside Line Promotions - FORNEY, Texas (Feb. 12, 2018) - Travis Rilat will make his sprint car season debut this weekend at one of his favorite events.

Rilat and BDS Motorsports are slated to compete Thursday through Saturday at East Bay Raceway Park in Tampa, Fla., for the Ronald Laney Memorial King of the 360s. It's an event that is named after one of Rilat's friends who passed away in 2002.

"It's always special for me to participate in an event named in Ronald's honor," he said. "I'm close with the Laney Family so it's important to me to race this event. I've always seemed to do well at East Bay, too, so hopefully we'll continue that this weekend."

Rilat posted a pair of podium finishes, including a third-place result during the finale, last year. He also produced a trio of top 10s the previous season, highlighted by a podium finish on Night 2 and a sixth-place result in the finale.

Rilat has also been victorious at East Bay Raceway Park. In 2006 he won a Ronald Laney Memorial preliminary night when the event was sanctioned with the Lucas Oil ASCS National Tour.

"It's a unique track that you have to stay on top of," he said. "It can slick off pretty quickly and catch you off guard. There's usually a lot of teams racing and some great competition so it's an event that will certainly get you excited."

This weekend marks the kickoff to the 2018 season for Rilat and BDS Motorsports. The two entities are teaming up to compete full time on the Lucas Oil ASCS National Tour, which begins next month. It will mark Rilat's first time on the tour as a full-time racer since 2009.

Rilat and BDS Motorsports earned four top 10s in five sprint car starts together at the end of last season, including a feature victory.

UP NEXT -

Thursday through Saturday at East Bay Raceway Park in Tampa, Fla., for the Ronald Laney Memorial King of the 360s

MEDIA LINKS -

Website: http://www.TravisRilat.com

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/TravisRilat29

SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT - BDS Motorsports

BDS Motorsports is a family owned sprint car team based in Newton, Iowa. The team, which was formed in 2011, is managed by Bryan Sundby. For more information, visit http://www.BDSMotorsportsLLC.com .

"Bryan and the Sundby Family have been a great team to drive for and I look forward to a successful 2018 in their race car," Rilat said. "BDS Motorsports is a top-notch team and will provide me the opportunity to win a lot of races."

Rilat would also like to thank Frio Chevrolet, MDS Boring & Drilling, Shop The BOSS, Shark Racing Engines, Weld Wheels, KSE Racing Products, Schoenfeld Headers, Simpson Race Products, Hoosier Racing Tires, HRP Wings, Goodrich, Penske Racing Shocks and All Star Auto Reconditioning for their continued support.

Contact: Shawn Miller
Inside Line Promotions
Shawn@InsideLinePromotions.com | (541) 510-3663

Bergman Earns Runner-Up Result During Season-Opening Event in Florida

Inside Line Promotions - OCALA, Fla. (Feb. 12, 2018) - Seth Bergman nearly captured a pair of podium finishes during his opening event of the season last weekend at Bubba Raceway Park.

Bergman powered from seventh to fourth place on Friday in a heat race to start the USCS Series doubleheader. That lined him up on the outside of the fourth row for the main event.

"We passed some cars in the heat race to put ourselves in a decent position for the A Main," he said. "We had a good car and moved forward in the main event, but unfortunately got caught up in a racing deal."

Bergman had charged into second place before he collided with another car that lost a tire in the closing laps. The contact knocked Bergman out of the race and he was credited with a 15th-place finish.

The team returned to the egg-shaped track on Saturday and Bergman continued to march forward. He advanced from fourth to second place in a heat race before starting the A Main on the inside of the third row.

"We felt confident we had a good car after moving forward every time we'd been on the track all weekend," he said. "We had a solid outing in the main event and ended the weekend on the podium so that gives us momentum to start the year."

Bergman charged to a runner-up result, which was his career-best finish at the oval.

He is slated to return to action this Thursday through Saturday at East Bay Raceway Park in Tampa, Fla., for the Ronald Laney Memorial King of the 360s.

QUICK RESULTS -

Feb. 9 - Bubba Raceway Park in Ocala, Fla. - Heat race: 4 (7); Feature: 15 (8).

Feb. 10 - Bubba Raceway Park in Ocala, Fla. - Heat race: 2 (4); Feature: 2 (5).

SEASON STATS -

2 races, 0 wins, 1 top five, 1 top 10, 2 top 15s, 2 top 20s

UP NEXT -

Thursday through Saturday at East Bay Raceway Park in Tampa, Fla., for the Ronald Laney Memorial King of the 360s

MEDIA LINKS -

Website: http://www.SethBergmanRacing.com

Twitter: https://twitter.com/BergmanRacing

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SethBergmanRacing

APPAREL -

Bergman has men's and women's t-shirts available for sale at his race trailer during events he competes in this season.

SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT - Oilfield Equipment & Manufacturing

Based in Shawnee, Okla., Oilfield Equipment & Manufacturing is a business within the oil industry.

"Oilfield Equipment & Manufacturing builds anchors for oil wells and they are pretty much at the top of the industry quality-wise," Bergman said. "They take pride in being made in America and in building quality parts."

Bergman would also like to thank Corridor Electric, Lucas Oil Products, Inc., Young Tools, Triple X Race Co., Scott Baylor Racing Engines and FK Midwest for their continued support.

Contact: Shawn Miller
Inside Line Promotions
Shawn@InsideLinePromotions.com | (541) 510-3663

Hagar Aiming for Redemption This Weekend at Ronald Laney Memorial King of the 360s

Inside Line Promotions - OCALA, Fla. (Feb. 13, 2018) - Derek Hagar can't wait to get back to the track this weekend when he and Witherspoon Racing will invade East Bay Raceway Park.

The duo teamed up last weekend for a USCS Series doubleheader at Bubba Raceway Park.

"We learned some things," Hagar said. "We used it as a test session. We came back and made some changes for East Bay this weekend."

The action began last Friday with Hagar finishing where he started in the dash - fifth - before he won a heat race from the pole position. That lined him up on the inside of the fourth row for the A Main.

"We were good early, but when the track slicked off we didn't have the bite or drivability in the engine," he said. "The motor is too good when the track slicks off. We're trying to tame it down so we can throttle through the slick and be competitive. We were running in that pack around where we started early. As the track got slicker I couldn't get on the throttle until I got the car straight off the corners. Then we had an issue with the throttle hanging."

Hagar placed 14th and returned to the oval on Saturday for the event finale. However, a fourth-place finish in a heat race relegated him to a B Main. Hagar finished second in the consolation race to transfer into the rear of the main event.

"We had the same issue on Saturday," he said. "The engine was so explosive off the corners it'd light up the tires. I was having to wait on it so long. It made it tough to gain on anybody in front of me."

Hagar was credited with a 17th-place finish.

He and the team will seek redemption this Thursday through Saturday at East Bay Raceway Park in Tampa, Fla., for the Ronald Laney Memorial King of the 360s. The duo teamed up for the first time last year at the event and posted a fourth-place finish during Night 2 of the tripleheader.

"We've made some changes this week," he said. "I moved the seat to get a little more comfortable. We're making a wing change and doing some minor setup changes. I'm excited to get to East Bay and see what we can improve from last weekend."

QUICK RESULTS -

Feb. 9 - Bubba Raceway Park in Ocala, Fla. - Dash: 5 (5); Heat race: 1 (1); Feature: 14 (7).

Feb. 10 - Bubba Raceway Park in Ocala, Fla. - Heat race: 4 (3); B Main: 2 (2); Feature: 17 (18).

SEASON STATS -

2 races, 0 wins, 0 top fives, 0 top 10s, 1 top 15, 2 top 20s

UP NEXT -

Thursday through Saturday at East Bay Raceway Park in Tampa, Fla., for the Ronald Laney Memorial King of the 360s

MEDIA LINKS -

Website: http://www.DerekHagarRacing.com

Twitter: https://twitter.com/HagarDerek

SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT - Fragola Performance Systems

Housed in Southington, Conn., Fragola Performance Systems manufactures fittings, lines and hoses for the racing industry. For more information, visit http://www.FragolaPerformanceSystems.com .

"Fragola Performance Systems are all in all a good fitting and line manufacturer," Hagar said. "They make really good lightweight hose. I prefer them over anybody else as far as a good pressure hose."

Hagar would also like to thank Dynotech Performance, DHR Suspension, B&D Towing, Xtreme Race Graphics, J&J Auto Racing, ButlerBuilt Professional Seat Systems, Weld Wheels, Hinchman Racewear, Wix Filters, Wings Unlimited, FK Rod Ends, Valvoline and Ti64 for their continued support.