Jeremy Colangelo Enjoys First Speedweeks Experience

Mark Martin Development Driver Posted Solid Runs at New Smyrna Speedway

Racecar drivers will jump at the chance to race eight times over the course of nine days.  That is why Jeremy Colangelo knew it was going to be a fun week of racing at the 43rd Annual World Series of Asphalt Stock Car Racing at New Smyrna Speedway (FL).  Colangelo was happy when the checkered flag fell on the final night of racing, as he had run strong all week and was impressed how his team performed.

“To start off, I am kind of glad it’s over,” said Colangelo.  “We unloaded pretty quick. We finished fourth and fifth in the first two nights.  We ended up struggling in the middle of the week.  We also lost a motor and we had to change that overnight.  Overall, our luck turned around at the end until that last night when we went out early in the Pete Orr Memorial 100.”

Colangelo logged six top-10 finishes and three top-five finishes during the eight nights of racing.  After the motor issues midway through the week, his car was fast in qualifying for the final three days.

“After the motor problem we got the car better,” said Colangelo.  “We started qualifying better and everything really started to click again.  We learned a lot of stuff that we know we want to do next year if we get to run it again.  I was real happy with the way the guys worked all week long. They kept their heads in the game and really pulled through to keep us racing each night.”

Colangelo will be resting up during the next few weeks while the team goes through the car in preparation for the Rattler 250 at South Alabama Speedway on March 8th.  

(top) Sprint Cup driver Mark Martin and Jeremy Colangelo talk before one of the feature events.  (bottom) Colangelo at speed.  (51 Sports Photo)