Photo Credit: Sal Sigala Jr.
By: Ashley McCubbin
BAKERSFIELD, CA – Despite a pair of frustrating finishes in the opening two NASCAR K&N Pro Series West events of the 2016 season, freshman contender Blaine Perkins is remaining positive ahead of the third round of the schedule at Tucson Speedway.
Perkins showed considerable speed in each of the series’ opening rounds at Irwindale Speedway and Kern County Raceway Park, before encountering a cut tire and late-race contact resulting in an 18th and 16th place finish, respectively.
“It’s way too early in our season to start complaining about luck,” opines Perkins in his typical relaxed demeanour. “There’s no doubt that things haven’t gone the way we had hoped for in our first two races, but there’s no sense in dwelling on it”
“We’ve shown a lot of speed in each of our races. We just need to keep our heads down and keep working and the results will come”
The former Irwindale Speedway Late Model regular attributes his positive outlook to the teachings of his team owner and mentor, multi-time NASCAR K&N Pro Series West winner Steve Portenga.
“There are a lot more mental aspects than guys want to admit,” says the teenager. “If you focus on the negatives, and throw your hands up every time something goes wrong, you can get lost inside your own head pretty quickly”
“I’m proud of how much we’ve learned so far, and I’m confident that we have a package that’s strong enough to contend for the rest of the season”
For Perkins, a venture into the NASCAR K&N Pro Series meant far more than simply making gains behind the wheel.
“Coming into this year, I knew I was going to learn a lot about every aspect of being a racer,” explains the Bakersfield, CA native. “Right now, we’re learning as a team how to get through the rough patches. We aren’t going to let it get us down, and we aren’t going to let it discourage us from getting better in the future”
“I’m excited to get to Tucson,” says Perkins. “It’s going to be a new experience for us – but we’re ready to work. We aren’t going to let a couple of rough outings define our year. We’re ready to do whatever it takes to turn things around. And it all starts on May 7th.”
Blaine Perkins’ 2016 NASCAR K&N Pro Series West efforts are made possible thanks to the support of Golden Gate Meat Company, Good Life Organics, Steve Portenga Racing, Four Star Fruit, Double Eagle Produce & Transportation and Reeves Auto Care.
Fans can keep up with Blaine’s progress all season long by visiting the official Blaine Perkins Racing page on Facebook, and be sure to follow the all new @BlainePerkinsRacing page on Instagram.
