Bryan competes in Tulare (Steve Lafond – Tear-Off Heaven Fotos)
(Bill W) March 15, 2016 – The Matt Wood Racing #17w team and driver Bryan Clauson are seemingly climbing the ladder a little higher each night in the World of Outlaws western swing. Saturday night they registered quick time in their group, and came home with a sixth place finish at Thunderbowl Raceway in Tulare, California. The team will next compete in California March 23 in Placerville and March 25 in Chico.
Bryan came out in the first group in Tulare and nailed down quick time. “We started the night about as good as we could get,” he says. “It’s a pretty cool thing to go back to Tulare. That’s kind of where the whole thing started with this team last year. Our improvement has been really fun to be a part of.”
A rain out on Friday meant a fast track on Saturday. He would start in a good spot on the pole of the heat race. “Obviously, it was pretty fast with all the rain they had,” says Bryan. “We just had to make sure we got the jump. We were able to do that, and hold the lead through a double restart. That set us up well for the Dash.”
The Noblesville, Indiana driver would start fourth in the Dash. “We had a good start and got into third,” says Bryan. “We actually had a little engine trouble at the end of the Dash and limped home third.”
The team went to work with Bryan schedule to start inside row two of the main event. “The guys had to do some work to get the engine changed,” he says. “Luckily, having a couple support divisions helped us time-wise. They did a good job getting the car prepared for the 35-lap feature.”
The feature on the tight bullring proved to be a battle. “On paper, going from third to sixth doesn’t look that good,” says Bryan. “But we had a lot of speed. We ran up front, but it seemed like we were on the wrong end of every double-file restart. We were starting on the bottom. That was fine if you were up front, but not if you were back in the field a ways. The only time we did start up top was when a melee happened.”
Still, he would come home with a strong sixth place showing. “Overall, it was another solid outing for us,” says Bryan. “Honestly, it was one of our best nights this year so far. I made one mistake in traffic and let Sammy (Swindell) get by, but we were right there and ended up sixth.”
Bryan is quick to credit the whole team for their strong showings in 2016. “It’s been a lot of fun,” he says. “We’re kind of learning and going through the process. Everyone on our team has been working really hard. They worked hard all winter to get our cars even better. We continue to keep gaining on it, and if we keep running the way we are, we’ll put ourselves in position to be in front.”
Matt Wood Racing would like to thank: Elk Grove Ford, Cancer Treatment Centers of America, Jonathan Byrd’s Hospitality and Restaurant Group, America’s Best Value Inn, Quick Lane and Impact Signs, Awnings & Wraps!
To follow the Matt Wood Racing’s progress online, visit www.ColeWoodRacing.com!
Photo: Bryan competes in Tulare (Steve Lafond – Tear-Off Heaven Fotos)
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