PETERBOROUGH, Ontario – Despite having to fight his way through the field on a couple different occasions, Rick Walt would still post a top-10 finish in the Autumn Colors Classic.
Walt started off his weekend strong by winning his first heat on Friday night. He would then finish fifth in his second heat on Saturday, to qualify seventh for the 75-lap feature.
The feature wouldn’t start off as Walt wanted as pole sitter Nick Goetz would get sideways on the start, slowing up as he was unable to find traction. As a result, Walt would get into the back of Goetz on lap two, sending him for a spin. Officials would then send Walt to the rear for the restart. Restarting at the rear, Walt would immediately begin to work his way back up through the field, running 17th as of the second caution at lap seven. However, the restart would bring more problems with Walt as he’d get tangled up with Steve Foster and Jack Horner. As a result, back to the rear of the field once again.
The 2011 Autumn Colors Classic winner would once again begin to start and make his climb forward, moving up to 17th by the fifth caution flew at lap 24. He would then get another good restart and run forward, moving into 12th by the time the sixth caution flew at lap 31. Though as with the way his night had gone so far, the progress would turn out to be all for nothing as contact with Shaun McWhirter on lap 59 would result in a return to the tail end of the field.
Walt began his climb back towards the front once again, running 15th as of lap 66. The restart would come with 11 laps to go and Walt used it to his advantage, moving his way up to the 10th spot before the checkered flag flew.
Thanks to HOTC, Abstract Salon, call Mr. Handy, F1rst Financial, Rust Check, RB Graffix, FLT Independant Order of Odd Fellows, Eisses Pumping Service, Remax/ Cindy Snow, TSS Top Shops, Kitchen Tire and all the fans for their continued support all year long.
Be sure to keep up with Rick Walt and Walt Motorsports by liking the Walt Motorsports facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/pages/Walt-Motorsports/524817640964689.
Race Report by Ashley McCubbin
