3/24/2015
Fezard Battles Gremlins in Season Opener
(Photo by Hulbert Photography)
TULSA, Okla. – The inaugural Outlaw Nationals at Port City Raceway last October left Hot Springs, Arkansas wheelman Bradley Fezard feeling confident in making his return to start the 2015 race season, after he finished 16th in the Friday night preliminary event there. However, mechanical gremlins had other ideas for how Fezard’s 2015 opening weekend would play out.
On Friday night, 43 nonwing micros signed in to take their shot at night one of the Turnpike Challenge at the Tulsa, Oklahoma facility. Hot laps would start a tough weekend as fuel issues and a coolant leak would arise. With those issues fixed, the 15-year old would find himself starting outside row two in the fourth of five heats in only his second attempt with the wings off. He would take quick advantage at the start of the heat race to pass for the third position on lap two, but the move was negated by a caution. After several tangle ups in the latter stages, Fezard had to settle for a sixth- finish.
Set to line up in the eighth starting spot in the first of two “B” Mains, Fezard was quick to get to the front. On lap two, the #58 Stallard/FTZ Honda was running in the fifth positon when the caution came out. Quickly moving up through the field before another yellow was displayed, it was apparent Fezard was headed to the front. Now restarting in the third position, he went straight to the top shelf and flew passed the front two to take the lead coming off of turn two. He never looked back and went on to capture the win.
Lining up 15th for the night’s final race, Fezard knew patience would be a factor. In what ended up being a caution-filled race, he slowly picked cars off one-by-one. When the yellow was displayed around lap eight, he had progressed to ninth for the restart. When the red was displayed just a few laps later for an overturned car, he had worked his way into seventh. Unfortunately, fuel issues would reoccur and force him to pull to the infield, being scored 13th.
On Saturday, it was back to winged racing, as the outlaw micros supported the POWRi Midgets. Fezard would once again line up outside row two for heat race competition, this time in the first heat race of five total. After getting to second by lap three, Fezard made the tough decision to relinquish the spot and pull to the infield with overheating issues.
With misfortunes striking again, Fezard found himself on the outside looking in as he would roll off 11th in the “B” Main. While working through the field, the lead pack was able to get away from the rest of the field. Just past the halfway point of the race, he found himself having to reel in the top four. With laps winding down, Fezard ran out of time and had to settle for finishing fifth. Missing the transfer by two spots brought the weekend to a close for Fezard. “Just needed some luck,” Fezard remarked on his weekend. “This track teaches us so much each time we come here.”
Fezard would like to thank Brandon’s Ranch and Aaron’s Powdercoating, as well as his mom and dad, Aaron Qualls, Frank Galusha at Eagle Motorsports, and all of his fans for their continued support.
Fezard is next scheduled to compete at the “Spring Fling,” back at Port City Raceway in Tulsa, Oklahoma on March 27-28.
Quick Results
March 20 – Tulsa, OK – 600cc Nonwing – Heat: 6th (4); B-Main: 1st (8); Feature: 13th (15)
March 21 – Tulsa, OK – 600cc Outlaw – Heat: 8th (4); B-Main: 5th (11)
2015 Stats
2 races, 1 feature, 0 wins, 0 top fives, 0 top tens, 1 DNF
Social Media
Facebook: www.facebook.com/bradley.fezard
Instagram: www.instagram.com/bradley_fezard58
Article Credit: Redbeard Promotions
