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Matt Smith and his Torco Race Fuels teammate Chris Rivas headed into raceday with high expectations at Brainerd International Raceway this weekend.
Coming off four very stressful qualifying sessions, Smith and Rivas were no where near as good as they would have liked. Smith qualified in the sixth position. While teammate, Rivas qualified in the 13th position as they headed into Sunday’s eliminations.
“We just can’t get the Buells to run down the back,” said Smith. “We have been trying few different things and they are just not working. We changed motors after the fourth session, so we will see what happens on Sunday.”
Needing to get into the oh-so-crucial top-eight, Rivas is doing everything it takes to move up in the points. Sitting in the ninth position, a little over one round out of the top-eight, Rivas knows he has a tough task ahead of him.
With Smith having to face off against Antron Brown first round, he knew he needed to beat him in order to help his teammate in the points. Cutting a great light and running a stellar elapse time, Smith would get the win over Brown as he would wait patiently at the end of the track for his teammate.
Rivas having to face the other Army bike of Angelle Sampey knew he would have to turn it green. With Sampey red-lighting, Rivas would do his job on the tree and get the win.
Heading into second round both Torco riders knew they would have to turn it up a notch. After taking out the Army teammates first round, they would now face the Harley teammates of Andrew Hines and Eddie Krawiec.
Smith cut a good light and had a great surge at half track, but would end up just a little short as he would lose the round to Hines.
“We actually ran somewhat decent today,” said Smith. “We changed motors last night and it paid off today. We came up a little short, but we are happy with how we ran today.”
Rivas would end up leaving on Krawiec second round, but would lose the round due to the bike not being able to go into high gear.
“It is tough out there,” said Rivas. “We are doing all we can to get in the top-eight. We will have one more shot at it next weekend, so hopefully we will be able to get it done. Matt and Evan have done all they can, it is just real tight field out there. Everyone is good. Everyone is running fast, and I can’t wait to get back at it in Reading.”
With Maple Grove Raceway in Reading, Penn. being the last race before the Countdown to the Championship next weekend, Smith and Rivas will be up for the challenge as the Torco team tries to get Rivas into the top-eight.
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Evan Knoll, founder of Knoll Gas-Torco Racing Fuels and a major sponsor of motorsports, has dedicated himself to bringing high quality racing fuel to every aspect of motorsports. When Evan is not spending time with his daughters you will find him following one of his many-sponsored race teams. Evan is a loyal family man and an avid drag racing fan.
The company also offers commercial and racing oils and lubes; SKULL Shine, a complete line of car care products; SKULL Gear, a complete line of apparel, traction compound, and racing-related accessories.
For more information on Torco Racing Fuels, SKULL Shine Car Care Products and SKULL Gear apparel, please visit: www.torcoracefuels.com or www.torco.com.
Team Torco Has Its Ups and Downs In Brainerd
Matt Smith and his Torco Race Fuels teammate Chris Rivas headed into raceday with high expectations at Brainerd International Raceway this weekend.
Coming off four very stressful qualifying sessions, Smith and Rivas were no where near as good as they would have liked. Smith qualified in the sixth position. While teammate, Rivas qualified in the 13th position as they headed into Sunday’s eliminations.
“We just can’t get the Buells to run down the back,” said Smith. “We have been trying few different things and they are just not working. We changed motors after the fourth session, so we will see what happens on Sunday.”
Needing to get into the oh-so-crucial top-eight, Rivas is doing everything it takes to move up in the points. Sitting in the ninth position, a little over one round out of the top-eight, Rivas knows he has a tough task ahead of him.
With Smith having to face off against Antron Brown first round, he knew he needed to beat him in order to help his teammate in the points. Cutting a great light and running a stellar elapse time, Smith would get the win over Brown as he would wait patiently at the end of the track for his teammate.
Rivas having to face the other Army bike of Angelle Sampey knew he would have to turn it green. With Sampey red-lighting, Rivas would do his job on the tree and get the win.
Heading into second round both Torco riders knew they would have to turn it up a notch. After taking out the Army teammates first round, they would now face the Harley teammates of Andrew Hines and Eddie Krawiec.
Smith cut a good light and had a great surge at half track, but would end up just a little short as he would lose the round to Hines.
“We actually ran somewhat decent today,” said Smith. “We changed motors last night and it paid off today. We came up a little short, but we are happy with how we ran today.”
Rivas would end up leaving on Krawiec second round, but would lose the round due to the bike not being able to go into high gear.
“It is tough out there,” said Rivas. “We are doing all we can to get in the top-eight. We will have one more shot at it next weekend, so hopefully we will be able to get it done. Matt and Evan have done all they can, it is just real tight field out there. Everyone is good. Everyone is running fast, and I can’t wait to get back at it in Reading.”
With Maple Grove Raceway in Reading, Penn. being the last race before the Countdown to the Championship next weekend, Smith and Rivas will be up for the challenge as the Torco team tries to get Rivas into the top-eight.
-
Evan Knoll, founder of Knoll Gas-Torco Racing Fuels and a major sponsor of motorsports, has dedicated himself to bringing high quality racing fuel to every aspect of motorsports. When Evan is not spending time with his daughters you will find him following one of his many-sponsored race teams. Evan is a loyal family man and an avid drag racing fan.
The company also offers commercial and racing oils and lubes; SKULL Shine, a complete line of car care products; SKULL Gear, a complete line of apparel, traction compound, and racing-related accessories.
For more information on Torco Racing Fuels, SKULL Shine Car Care Products and SKULL Gear apparel, please visit: www.torcoracefuels.com or www.torco.com.
