Kyle Hirst & Smitty Boys Racing join forces for 2011 season
Smitty Boys Racing welcomes Kyle Hirst for 2011 campaign
By Gary Thomas
Antelope, CA – January 19, 2011…Defending ASCS National Rookie of the Year Kyle Hirst will be returning to the tight bullrings of California for the upcoming racing season as he joins forces with the Smitty Boys Racing team.
During its inaugural season of competition Smitty Boys Racing captured the California Sprint Car Civil War Series owners title, utilizing drivers Steven Tiner and Stephen Allard throughout the year.
Allard also drove the No. 14s mount to a handful of wins at four different tracks including Calistoga Speedway, Silver Dollar Speedway, Marysville Raceway Park and Placerville Speedway. In addition to those, Smitty Boys Racing also scored a runner up finish at Calistoga Speedway’s Louie Vermeil Classic with Midwest driver Daron Clayton sitting in the seat.
Hirst spent last season on the road with the Lucas Oil ASCS National Tour, finishing eighth in the year-end standings and earning Rookie of the Year honors. During a pair of his trips home to California the 23-year-old also scored a seventh place finish at the Dave Bradway Jr. Memorial in May and a seventh place overall result at the Trophy Cup in October.
The Smitty Boys Racing team is owned by Steve Smith, with the famous crew chief Darin “Heavy D” Smith turning the wrenches. The crew will also be made up of Robert the wrench, Ryan Smith and Michael Helwig.
The team plans to kick off the year at the February 9 Lucas Oil ASCS National event in Tulare and follow the tour through Tucson on February 18 and 19. After coming back home the Smitty Boys then plan to run a type of “California Outlaw” schedule, hitting select events each week at various tracks.
Sponsors for the No. 14s machine will include AA Johnson and Sons Concrete, Heavy D Motorsports, Brad Sweet Motorsports, Borello Racing Engines, Dirt Solutions, PT-Afco Shocks, Sellers Racing Wings, Glicko Hardware, Nor Cal Masonry and Criobars Torsion Bars.
“I’m really excited about this season and think we can do some great things with Kyle in the car,” said Heavy D. “We had a great year last season with Stephen and it was awesome to help Steve Smith get the car owner title with Civil War. I just want to thank everyone that’s supporting us this year and helping out.”
Smitty Boys Racing is also looking for additional support in an attempt to run the full Golden State King of the West Sprint Car Series schedule. Anyone wishing to help out can please contact Darin Smith at heavydmotorsports@hotmail.com
Hirst Scores 12th and 9th with Lucas Oil ASCS National Tour in Las Cruces, NM
Over the weekend as the Lucas Oil ASCS National Tour made their first stop in the state of New Mexico in six years, Brodix Rookie of the Year Contender made the most of his first ever stop at the Southern New Mexico Speedway.
On Friday night, Kyle lined the GP Development 6 car up in the fourth position of his heat race. As the event went green, Kyle quickly got passed Trey Starks, to move into second, as race leader Steve Kinser had a comfortable lead. The heat went non-stop, and the second place finish for Kyle was good enough to line him up in the 9th position for the 25-lap feature.
In the feature, Kyle held strong in the 9th spot, as passing became very tough in the event. On the eighth circuit, the 6th car slipped over the edge of the back stretch, causing Kyle to lose several spots.
Over the next 17 laps, KH clawed his up from 15th, and was able to salvage a 12th place finish on opening night.
Saturday night saw the 6 car line up in the third row of his heat race, where he would charge to a very strong second place finish, putting him fourth in points, putting in him the redraw for his feature event starting position.
The eight pill put KH in the fourth row of the 30-lap event.
In the feature event, Kyle held his eight position for much of the contest, as the race went non-stop. As the track wasn’t as narrow as Friday, Saturday’s surface still made passing a difficult task.
Late in the race, Kyle, and veteran, Wayne Johnson, hooked up for a interesting tussle for the eight spot. As the two traded the position for a few laps, Johnson grabbed the spot and held onto it, as KH was right behind him for a very close 9th place finish.
Up next for the GP Development team will be a stop in Tucson, Arizona for the 43rd Annual Kronk Energy Western World Championships Nov 18-20.
For more information on Kyle, and the GP Development team please visit www.kylehirst.com.
Hirst Has Solid Trophy Cup; Sets Sights on Short Track Nationals
Taking advantage of a break in the Lucas Oil ASCS National Tour schedule, Kyle Hirst made a rare stop in California as the GP Development team finished 7th in the final standings of the 17th Annual Southwest Contractors Trophy Cup Present by Kaeding Performance.
On qualifying night, Kyle timed the Lee Watson tuned #6 in with the 26th fastest time of the 75 entrys. The qualifying run put Hirst on the outside front row of the second heat race, an event KH would win, and move on to the feature event.
The feature event saw Kyle enter as the 13th highest point getter, missing the inversion by just one spot, forcing him to start in the 13th position.
As the race got underway, KH quickly used to high side of the 1/3 mile oval to begin picking up positions, as he charged forward. On the 22nd lap running in the eighth position, the GP Development #6 came to a stop with a broken U-joint, ending Hirst’s night eight laps early.
On Saturday night the GP Development returned to Thunderbowl Speedway sitting in the 19th spot putting them in the fifth starting spot of the first heat race. The race track was very fast early, and Kyle finished in the fifth spot.
After heat races were completed, and points were tallied, KH qualified for the feature event where he would start in the sixth in the 50-lap feature event.
As the race got underway, KH was patient as he waited for the early fuel load to burn off and loosen up his GP Development/A.R.T sprinter.
As the car came to Kyle, he was able to work his way back up to fifth after falling back early.
At the checkers, Kyle was able to bring his Shark powered #6 home with a solid fifth place finish in the race, and seventh overall in the Trophy Cup standings.
Up next for the GP Development team is a trip back east to Little Rock, Ark. to catch back up with the Lucas Oil ASCS National tour, and participate in the famed 31st Annual Short Track Nationals at I-30 Speedway Oct. 28-30.
Please check out www.kylehirst.com for the latest gear, photos, and trackside updates.
Hirst Has Solid Winternationals: Homeward bound for Trophy Cup
The 37th Annual Winter Nationals at Devils Bowl Speedway tried desperately to deter young Kyle Hirst, but Hirst was able to overcome early adversity and turn in a solid second visit to the famed track in Mesquite, Texas.
On Friday night, KH was running in sixth in the fourth heat race, the GP Development #6 got over the cushion entering turn one, and rolling over ending Kyle’s heat race, but forcing him to start 12th in the third ‘B’- Main event.
In the ‘B’, Kyle quickly began moving forward, as the slick track allowed for a fury of passing. Kyle wheeled the Lee Watson tuned, Shark powered #6 to a fourth place finish, just missing out on transferring to the A, by two positions.
Utilizing his mid-season bonus provisional, KH gridded the field in the 24th spot for the 25 lap feature event.
The feature saw Kyle adapt to the tricky surface, as he searched the track for grip, and he was able to bring home a solid 15th place finish.
Saturday night saw Kyle start fourth in the second heat race, where he would proceed to finish in the second spot, and earn himself a 13th starting position for the 30-lap feature event.
From the 13th spot, KH quickly entered the top 10 on the fourth circuit, where he began battling Kevin Ramey for the 9th spot. On the 13th lap a red flag waved for a wreck in front of Hirst that he narrowly missed, and advanced him into the eighth spot.
Kyle would then battle fellow rookie, Matt Covington for the eighth spot, but Covington was able to grab the spot with a few laps remaining, and KH would settle for the 9th spot, and continue to lead the Rookie of the Year standings.
Up next for Kyle and the GP Development Racing team will be a trip home, where they will compete in the Southwest Contractor’s 17th Annual Trophy Cup Presented by Kaeding Performance at Thunderbowl Speedway in Tulare, Calif.
For more information on Kyle, and trackside updates please visit www.kylehirst.com.
Hirst Garners Fourth at Rock’n’Roll 50
Saturday night at ‘The Ditch’ Kyle Hirst charged his way from his eight place starting spot to grab a stout fourth place finish at the Lucas Oil ASCS National Tour Rock’n’Roll 50 in West Memphis, Arkansas.
Following a disappointing preliminary night in which mechanical woes caused Kyle to scratch his heat race, and start last in the B ultimately missing the A, the young charger was able to roar to an impressive win in the third heat race, and draw an eight for the feature event.
As the 50 lap slug-fest got underway, KH quickly went to work aboard his GP Development/Shark powered A.R.T. As Kyle quickly grabbed the 5th spot early in the race, he held on as he battled Shane Stewart, and Darren Long.
With passing proven to be very tough on this night, Kyle used patience and was able to pounce on any bobbles in front of him. On the 30th lap, Hirst was able to dive under fourth running Stewart to take the position with 20 laps remaining. As the race wound down, Hirst began to challenge Tony Bruce, JR late for the third spot, but held on to a very strong fourth place run as the race ended.
“It’s great to come out here and get a solid finish, after the luck we had last night,” said Hirst. “I’m excited to get back to Devils Bowl on the 15th and 16th and have a much better showing then we did last time we were out there.”
Up next for the GP Development team will be a trip to Mesquite, Texas, and the 37th Annual Winter Nationals at the famed Devils Bowl Speedway.
For more news, results, and trackside updates from Kyle, please visit www.kylehirst.com.
Bad Luck Bug Bites Hirst
Saturday night as the Lucas Oil ASCS National Tour rolled into Lucas Oil Speedway, Rookie of the Year contender Kyle Hirst climbed back aboard his familiar GP Development #6 A.R.T. after doing some substitute driving for Harley Van Dyke. The reunion for KH didn’t go exactly as planned, as bad luck in his heat race, ended the young charger’s night abruptly.
With 61 cars on hand, Kyle found himself drawing one of the lowest pills of the night, putting him 9th in heat race action. As the heat race got under way, a car bounced off of the turn 4 wall collecting Kyle, sending him into a series flips down the flips down the front shoot, with his battered car coming to a stop at the flag stand.
With heavy damages to the car, the GP Development team decided to load up, and save a provisional for a later night this season.
Kyle will be back in action this weekend, October 1 and 2, as the Lucas Oil ASCS National tour invades West Memphis, Arkansas, for the Rock-N-Roll 50.
For more information on Kyle, including track side updates, please visit www.kylehirst.com.
Hirst has Hard Charging Weekend Aboard Van Dyke 5h
With a break in the Lucas Oil ASCS National Tour, Kyle Hirst took the opportunity to climb aboard California car owner, Harley Van Dyke’s Lucas Oil Products A.R.T. sprinter.
The first night saw the Van Dyke Motorsports team check into I 80 Speedway in Greenville, Nebraska. Lining up fifth in the first heat race, Kyle tried both high and low on the speedway, but it was apparent that the 5h car was a little loose, and Kyle held the fifth spot, lining him up 17th in the feature.
Once the feature rolled out, the Lucas Oil Products 5h seemed to be more to KH’s liking. As the race got underway, Kyle quickly put the Harley Van Dyke prepared machine on the top of the race track, where he charged the cushion with ease.
On the 10th circuit, Kyle had climbed to the eighth spot, when the track noticeably began to take rubber and become very narrow. For the last handful of laps, Kyle kept his eighth place finish up from his 17th starting spot.
On Saturday and Sunday, the Van Dyke 5h, checked into Lake Ozarks Speedway for the two – day Lake Ozark Nationals.
On Saturday night, heat race action had Kyle starting in the seventh position on the very heavy racing surface. Kyle was able to grab two spots early, but that was all he would manage, as his fifth place effort earned him the second starting for the B man event.
In the B, Kyle was virtually unchallenged as he cruised to the dominating win, earning him another 17th place starting position.
As the night progressed, the racetrack remained very narrow, making passing very tough. Once the feature got under way, Kyle used precision as he picked off cars and gained positions. As the laps clicked off, Kyle was able to sneak under cars, and get himself up to ninth place at the stripe, giving him his second top 10 of the weekend.
Sunday night saw the last of the three night swing for the team with the finale at Lake Ozark.
Heat race action again saw Kyle start deep in the field. On this night he would start from the sixth spot. on this night the race track was very wide and racy. Kyle was able to charge to a very strong third place finish in his heat race giving him another deep starting spot with a 15th starting position.
In the feature, Kyle showed speed very early. From the waving of the green flag, the Lucas Oil/A.R.T. 5h was charging towards the front on the very top of the trace track. As the laps wound down, Kyle seemed to grow stronger. With three laps to go, Kyle was in the sixth spot, when his right rear tire began losing air. Kyle was able to hang on to the car and finish 11th.
For more information on Kyle, including his upcoming schedule, please visit www.kylehirst.com.
Kyle Captures Career Best Lucas Oil Finish
Friday night at Tri-City Speedway, Rookie of the Year contender, Kyle Hirst, emerged from a torrid late race battle with Jared Hull and Brian Brown to garner a second place finish at the Lucas Oil ASCS National Tour event, a finish that is the youngster’s career best with the series.
As the race got underway, Kyle lined his GP Development/Shark Powered/A.R.T. #6 up in the ninth position. As front row starters Danny Wood, and Matt Covington tangled and collected a large group of cars, Kyle was able to avoid the wreck, and gain four spots on the next restart.
Once the race got under way, KH, took his Lee Watson prepared ART chassis around the top of the racy track that had three wide passing all race long. As Kyle grabbed the second spot, he began to apply heavy pressure on leader Brian Brown.
As the race progressed Kyle consistently pressed Brown for the point, lap after lap using both the middle and the bottom lines. As the lead pack began to race through lap traffic, Jared Hull began to pressure Hirst and Brown.
On the 21st circuit, Hull went low to get Hirst, and Kyle was able to slide Brown for the second spot to work on Hull. As the track took rubber over the last six circuits, Kyle held the second position at the line to post his career best mark in his rookie campaign.
“This place was a lot of fun tonite,” said Kyle. “I was able to find the rubber early, but Hull had us covered. I’ve got to thank GP for letting me get out here and do this, and my guys for giving me an awesome car.
Saturday night saw the Lucas Oil ASCS National Tour roll into Little Rock, Ark. and do battle on the high – banked I-30 Speedway.
This night would not go how KH had hoped from the pill draw. A 67 pill lined the Gary Perkins owned sprinter up 9th in the third heat race on a very narrow surface.
Kyle was able to move up a few spots in the heat race, but was forced to start 10th in one of the evening’s three ‘B’ features. Needing to advance to third, KH let it all hang out in the semi. As Kyle was tip-toeing the top of the track, he hopped the cushion and spun out, sending him to the back of the field with six laps remaining.
When the race restarted KH was able to gain a few spots and get back to ninth, but he would miss the feature event.
This weekend Kyle will take the helm of the Harley Van Dyke owned Lucas Oil Products/A.R.T. #5h for a one night show at I 80 Speedway in Nebraska, before hitting a two night show on Saturday and Sunday night at Lake of the Ozarks Speedway.
“Me and Harley raced together a few years back in California and had a lot of success,” said Kyle. “I am confident we will have a good weekend together, and I am very excited to drive for him again.”
For pictures, results, and trackside updates please visit www.kylehirst.com.
Hirst Makes B at 360 Nationals
Saturday night at the Knoxville raceway, Kyle Hirst used an impressive move in the C main event, to take the fourth and final transfer spot to the B main.
To kick of his first career 360 Nationals, KH ran the Thursday night program to earn points for Saturday’s championship event. In qualifications, Kyle timed the GP Development/Shark Racing Engines/A.R.T. #6 in with the 28th quickest lap of the 49 entrants.
Kyle would like up on the pole in the third heat race of the night, where he would go on to finish in the third spot and transfer to the feature event. Kyle had his work cut out for him as his time trial lined him up in the 18th position.
As the race got under way, Kyle was able to navigate his Lee Watson tuned mount into the top 15 early as he began to battle with Eric Baldachini and Randy Martin. As the race went on Kyle began to lose power in his Shark Racing engines power plant. Hirst remained on the track and went on to finish in the 21st spot, lining him up in the C on Saturday night.
Saturday night in the C main event, Kyle lined the GP Development #6 up in the eighth spot with 12 laps to crack the top four to move on to the B main. As the C main got under way, Kyle was able to quickly advance into the fifth position after the first set of turns.
On the sixth lap, Kyle put his #6 mount on the bottom of the famed ½ track and pulled up along side fourth running RJ Johnson. On the seventh lap, Hirst made the pass for good coming out of turn four, and transferred into the 15 lap B main event, where he would start 22nd.
In the B, Kyle went high and low, as he worked forward in the fast paced event. Kyle was able to gain a few spots, as he fought a tight racecar. When the checkered waved, the GP Development #6 was in the 20th position.
This week the GP Development Racing team will stick around Knoxville as they will take on the world’s greatest sprint car drivers in the 50th Annual Knoxville Nationals.
For more information, merchandise, and track side updates, please visit www.kylehirst.com.
Hirst Scores Pair of Top Ten’s
Over the weekend, Kyle Hirst picked up two top ten finishes as he competed in the Lucas Oil ASCS National Tour event at LA Raceway in Missouri, and the Knoxville Raceway weekly 360 event.
Friday night at LA Raceway, Kyle lined the GP Development/Shark Racing Engines/A.R.T. sprinter on the pole of his heat race. As the race got under way, KH drag raced fellow front row starter, Shane Stewart, into the first turn. Stewart went high and held a narrow advantage over Hirst.
As the race progressed, Hirst stalked Stewart, but would finish the race in the second position, good enough to put him in the feature event in the 12th starting postion.
In the feature event Kyle got off to a slow start, and fell back to the 15th running position and the race hit the half way point, and there was a caution.
KH utilized the restart, to put the Lee Watson prepared ART chassis on the cushion, and quickly pick off cars. With four laps to go, Kyle was in the 10th position, and began challenging for the 9th spot. As the white flag flew, Kyle went low, but would end up finishing with a solid 10th place finish.
Saturday night, the GP Development team checked into the Knoxville Raceway to get some laps before the upcoming 360 Nationals.
In a rare qualifying opportunity for Kyle, he was able to time the GP Development #6 in with the 10th quickest lap of the night, which lined him up in the fourth starting position in the second heat race.
In the heat race, Kyle was able to charge up to the third position to put him in the feature event.
The 10 pill was drawn for the inversion, giving Hirst a second row starting spot. With the waving of the green flag, Kyle went to the top of the race track, where he had a slight bobble, which sent him back to the 7th position.
Over the duration of the race, Kyle was able to climb back into the sixth position where he then began to put heavy pressure on fifth running Chad Humston. Hirst was able to pull up along side Humston, but would end the night with a very stout sixth place finish.
“It was a very good weekend with two really good finishes,” said Kyle. “We were able to learn a lot at Knoxville on Saturday, and I feel really good about the 360 Nationals this weekend and the 410 Nationals next weekend.”
For more news, results, and trackside update from Kyle please visit www.kylehirst.com.
GP Development #6 Has Strong Cottage Grove Weekend
By PJ Petersen
Friday and Saturday at the Cottage Grove Speedway in Cottage Grove, Oregon, Kyle Hirst brought home two very strong top ten runs to cap off the Lucas Oil ASCS National tour out west.
Friday night saw KH line his GP Development/Shark Racing Engines/A.R.T. #6 in the eighth position in the fourth and final heat race. As the race began, Kyle quickly began to pass cars as he ripped around the top of the ¼ mile bull ring. With three laps to go in the event, Hirst began to pressure Mack Brown for the second spot. As the two battled it was Brown nipping Hirst back to line.
With the strength of the charge to third, Hirst was the second high point man for the night, and would draw a four for the thirty lap feature event.
In the feature event, Hirst navigated his Lee Watson prepared, A.R.T. chassis both high and low as he carved through lapped traffic while in a very entertaining battle for the fourth spot. At the halfway point, the GP Development machine was exchanging the fourth position with Seth Bergman and Jason Solwold.
At the lap 27 restart, Kyle lined up in the fifth spot, with three laps remaining to sneak into the top four to lock into Saturday night’s feature. When the race got back underway, KH drifted high opening the door for Jason Solwold, and Tony Bruce to sneak under. As Kyle battled back, the race came to an end, and he was solidly in the top ten, with an eighth place finish.
Saturday night action began with Kyle starting on the pole in the fourth heat race. Kyle got the jump and went on to dominate the event, and transfer into the feature event, starting in the eleventh position.
The tricky Cottage Grove Speedway surface saw the 6 car pass cars both high and low. Early in the feature event, Kyle was in a tight battle with fellow rookie Matt Covington as he entered the top 10. A text book slide job put the 6 car in ninth after disposing of Covington.
After surviving a couple of mid race cautions, Kyle was able to charge the GP Development sprinter to a solid fifth place finish, to cap off a very impressive stint out west.
“I can’t say enough about my guys,” said Kyle. “We were good up here all weekend. It feels good to have good results with so many friends, and family up here hanging out with us.”
This week the GP Development team will head back to the shop in Missouri, before hitting LA Raceway in La Monte, Missouri with the Lucas Oil ASCS National Tour on Friday, then will head to the famed Knoxville Raceway on Saturday night.
For more news, results, upcoming races, and trackside updates please visit www.kylehirst.com.
Hirst Captures 1st Win during Strong Speed Week
Fresh off of a top three run last weekend in South Dakota, Kyle Hirst and his GP Development team decided to make the quick turn around, and take part in ASCS Northwest Speed Week on their way up to their Lucas Oil ASCS National Tour event in Elma Washington.
On night one of speed week, Kyle checked the GP Development/Shark Racing Engines/A.R.T. #6 into Southern Oregon Speedway in White City, Oregon. With 44 cars on hand, a 15 pill put Kyle on the outside of the second row in heat race one.
As the race got underway, Kyle had the lead heading out of the fourth corner on the first lap. Kyle would continue to navigate the GP Development sprinter to a very comfortable win, and secure a spot in the feature event where he would start in the sixth position.
In a very fast paced feature event, Kyle was able to move forward early, as he battled ASCS Northwest point leader, Roger Crockett, for the third position. On a lap 16 restart, Hirst had a slight bobble in the first set of corners and fell back to 6th. Over the next handful of laps, Kyle showed his strength as he was able to muscle his way back to the third position as the checkered flag flew.
Tuesday night saw the team roll into Williamette Speedway in Lebanon, Oregon. The 45 pill gave KH the daunting task of starting eighth in the second heat race on a very narrow race track. Utilizing a very strong start Kyle was able to move up two positions into sixth, but was relegated to the B main.
Starting on the outside of the front row in the B, Kyle needed to make sure he captured a top three finish to make the feature event. As the event got underway KH guided the GP Development/Shark Racing Engines/A.R.T. #6 to a strong second place finish, giving him an 18th place starting position in the feature event.
In the feature event, Kyle simply put on a show. Starting in the 18th position he gave the fans an exhibition on slide jobs, as well as running the cushion. As the green flag waved the Lee Watson prepared mount was a rocket ship, as the young masher was the hard charger of the event and charged to a very strong second place when the race was done.
Wednesday night shifted up I-5 to Sunset Speedway in Banks, Oregon. After drawing the number three pill, Kyle was on the pole of the second heat race. During his heat, Kyle was able to put his GP Development machine on the top of the race track and run away with the win, and putting him in the feature event, where he would pull the number two pill and grab a front row starting spot.
With the waving of the green flag, KH led the charge into the first set of turns. After claiming the advantage as the field headed down the backstretch, KH would go onto dominate all 30 laps, and capture his first win of 2010, as well as making it his first career ASCS win, giving him momentum heading into the Lucas Oil ASCS National Tour event.
Friday night was the first of two nights in Elma, Washington for the 4th Annual Fred Brownfield Memorial. With 62 cars on hand, Kyles draw put him in the back of the second heat race where he started eighth. As he charged up to sixth in the heat, the 6 car notably began to lose power. Hirst was able to maintain his spot, but did do damage to his Shark power plant.
After bolting in a new bullet, Kyle started seventh in the B main event, needing to get to at least third to transfer through. As the B main went green, Kyle went forward. Midway through the race while going for fourth, contact sent the 6 car spinning, and ended Kyle’s B main and forced him to use a provisional to get into the A.
The provisional placed the Lucas Oil ASCS Rookie of The Year contended in the 23rd starting position in the star studded 30-lap contest. Just like in Lebanon, KH mashed the loud pedal and charged to the front. He pounded the Grays Harbor Raceway Park cushion, and made several daring passes as he came home with a very impressive 7th place finish from the back.
Saturday was the finale of Kyle’s speed week, as well as the Fred Brownfield Memorial. After starting sixth in his heat, Kyle used to high side to move up to the fourth position. On the sixth lap, Kyle hopped the cushion and fell back to the sixth spot, putting him deep in the B main.
In the B, Kyle started in the 7th position, and the racing surface was very tough to pass on. After moving forward the first few laps, Kyle was up to the fifth spot, but over the course of the next nine laps, the field went single file, leaving Kyle on the outside looking in, and ending his night as two other competitors were able to use provisional’s.
“I really have to thank GP for giving me this opportunity to hit the road this year, and letting us come out and run speed week with the Northwest guys,” said Kyle. “It’s nice to be able to come out here and run some tracks were familiar with, and pick up our first win. We’ll head down to our shop in California this week, and get after it again in Cottage Grove.”
Up next for the GP Development team is a double header in Cottage Grove, Oregon this weekend.
For the latest news, results, merchandise, as well as trackside updates please visit www.kylehirst.com.
Podium Run: Hirst Grabs Third at I-90
Saturday night at I90 Speedway in Harford, South Dakota, Kyle Hirst powered his way to a solid third place finish aboard his GP Development/Shark Racing Engines/A.R.T. #6.
To start off his night, Hirst had a less the desirable pill, setting himself to start in the seventh position of the fourth heat race. With the initial green flag seeing a tangle in front of Hirst, the new green saw the GP Development sprinter now in the third starting spot.
As the race progressed Kyle was in the second spot, and began to chase after Shane Stewart for the point. When the checkered flew on the event, Kyle was in the second spot, and comfortably in the re-draw.
The results of the re-draw placed the GP Development/Shark Racing Engines/A.R.T. #6 on the outside of the second row, in the fourth starting position.
As the 30-lap contest got underway, Kyle was able to put his Lee Watson prepared mount both high and low on the track as he battled Jack Dover early in the event.
As the race progressed Hirst continued to comfortably run in the fourth spot, as he stalked Dover for the third position. On the 13th lap, the red flag flew over the speedway for an upside down second running Austen Wheatley. At this time, the skies opened up drenching the speedway, and forcing the checkered flag to wave with Kyle sitting in the 3rd position.
As the series now heads west to the 4th Annual Fred Brownfield Memorial in Elma, Washington, Kyle and his GP Devleopment Racing team will head to the Southern Oregon Speedway in Medford, Oregon on Monday night for night one of ASCS Northewest Speedweek.
For more news, results, merchandise, and Twitter updates from Kyle, please visit www.kylehirst.com.
Hirst Runs Two Shows to Prepare for Western Swing
Over the 4th of July weekend, Kyle Hirst was scheduled to compete in three regional ASCS races after making a stop with the World Of Outlaws on Tuesday. Unfortunately for the young charger, a crash in front of him on Thursday caused too much damage and forced the GP Development team back home.
On Tuesday night, the GP Development/Shark Racing Engines/A.R.T. #6 checked in at the Missouri State Fair Speedway to go to battle with the World of Outlaws in Kasey’s King of Sedalia Challenge.
To start the night off, Hirst was the second car out to qualify. Kyle was able to time the GP Development #6 car in with the 15th fastest time of the night, putting him in the fifth starting position in the third heat race.
With the waving of the green flag, Kyle quickly found himself in a battle with Budweiser Teammates, Joey Saldana and Kasey Kahne. After falling back to seventh, Kyle continued to battle an ill handling race car and was relegated to run the B-Main event.
In the B, Hirst lined up in the third position with 15 laps to qualify for the feature event. As the race progressed, Kyle settled into the fourth spot, and made his way into the nights feature where he would start in the 15th spot.
Early in the feature, Hirst navigated the GP Development/Shark Racing Engines/A.R.T. #6 toward the top 10. on the fourth circuit, tire issues forced Hirst into the pits, ending his night early, and finishing with a 23rd place finish.
On Thursday night, the team bolted their Shark 360 engine back into their car to shake down to prepare for the upcoming Lucas Oil ASCS National Races and entered the ASCS Midwest race at the Junction Motor Speedway in McCool Junction, Nebraska.
Hirst lined up in third in the first heat race of the evening. As the race started, Hirst seemed to be fighting his car, as he was passed early, and entered a battle for the fourth spot with Ryan Roberts.
As the duo continued to battle, it was Roberts narrowly edging out Kyle to get the fourth spot. The finish would once again line Kyle up in the 15th spot in the feature event.
On the third circuit of the feature, a spinning Jason Danley spun across the track in front of the charging Hirst, collecting Kyle and eneding his night early.
The damage from the wreck forced Hirst, and the GP Development team to head back to the shop in Warsaw, and gear up for this Saturdays race at I90 Speedway in Hartford, SD before a trip to the Pacific Nortwest.
For more news, results, merchandise, and Twitter updates please visit www.kylehirst.com.
Hard Charging Hirst Charges to 10th (June 29, 2010) Saturday night at the Daniel McMillan/Jesse Hockett Memorial at Lake Ozark Speedway, Kyle Hirst rallied from a 23rd starting position, and grabbed a very stout 10th place finish.
In heat race action, Hirst lined the GP Development/Shark Racing Engines/A.R.T #6 up on the outside of the first row in heat race number five where he would finish second and be forced to run in a B-main event to transfer through to the nights feature event.
In the B, Kyle paced the field from his pole position. After being over taken by Shane Stewart early, Kyle held second place for the next few laps. As the white flag waved Kyle had a slight bobble, and Josh Fisher was able to sneak by and steal the transfer from Hirst.
After opting to use his first provisional of the season, Kyle found himself starting in the 23rd position with 30-laps to charge forward.
As the green flag waved on the event, Kyle charged to the top of the race track aboard the Lee Watson tuned machine. Even as he got bottled up behind cars at times, Hirst showed patience, and was able to navigate through heavy traffic with precision.
As the race ended, Kyle found the GP Development machine solidly in a 10th place finish, advancing 13 positions on the night. On Sunday, the plan was to hit Jesse Hockett’s Double X Speedway, but persistent showers forced the cancellation of the event. Kyle would like to thank all his sponsors, friends, and family for their continued support, as he continues his strong rookie campaign on the Lucas Oil ASCS National Series tour.
Hirst Has Up and Down Dirt Cup (June 25, 2010) - With an off weekend from his Lucas Oil ASCS National Tour campaign, Kyle Hirst accepted Rod Tiner’s invitation to wheel the potent Rod Tiner Racing #83 in the 39th Annual Jim Raper Memorial Dirt Cup at the Skagit Speedway in Alger, Washington.
The three day event saw many up and downs for the young masher, as qualifying Thursday night put Kyle on the front row of his heat race that he proceeded to win.
With the inverted line up from the evening’s points, Hirst found himself starting in the third position.
While running second and chasing race leader Shane Stewart, Kyle came to a stop on the fourth lap with an expired power plant, ending his night, and throwing a wrench in the weekend plans.
Luckily for Kyle, and car owner Rod Tiner, they were able to borrow a power plant to finish out the weekend.
On Friday night, Kyle timed the Rod Tiner Racing A.R.T. #83 in the 11th postion lining him up in the second row of the heat race, where he would charge to a second place finish, and transfer into the nights feature event.
Lining up in the 9th position, Hirst was able to blast the Skagit cushion and begin to pressure Tim Kaeding for the fifth position.
On the 12th lap contact was made between the duo ending Hirst’s night early for the second consecutive night.
Heading into championship Saturday, Kyle found himself 20th in points and in the B Scramble. After finishing second in the Scramble, Kyle found himself on the pole position for the 20-lap B-main for one final shot to qualify for the 40 lap feature.
After charging to an impressive B-Main win, Kyle lined up the RTR #83 in the 17th position with 40-laps to get to the front.
With a very impressive start, Kyle was charging to the front in a hurry, as he passed cars with precession and used a few early restarts to his advantage. Mid way through the race however, Kyle began to feel the motor start to lose power.
Being the smart driver that he is, Kyle wisely pulled into the pits ending his 2010 Dirt Cup with a disappointing taste in his mouth.
“We had a lot of speed this weekend, it’s just a bummer that we had so much bad luck and nothing to show for it,” said Kyle. “ I really want to thank Rod Tiner for all his help this weekend, and the opportunity to come out and race on the west coast.”
Up next for Hirst will be more Lucas Oil ASCS National Tour action, as he returns to the helm of his familiar GP Development/A.R.T. #6 car this weekend. On Saturday he is set to run The Daniel McMillian/Jesse Hockett Memorial at Lake of The Ozark Speedway, and Sunday he is set to race a local race at Jesse Hockett’s Double X speedway.
Kyle would like to thank all his sponsors for their continued support as he chases the 2010 Lucas Oil ASCS National Tour championship.
For more information, news, results, and merchandise, please visit www.kylehirst.com.
Rock 'N Roll 50 Rained Out; Reset for October TULSA, Okla. (April 22, 2010) – The Lucas Oil ASCS Sprint Cars presented by K&N Filters event originally scheduled for this weekend, April 23-24, at Riverside International Speedway in West Memphis, AR, has been postponed due to approaching inclement weather and rescheduled for October 1-2. The Second Annual Rock ‘N Roll 50 at Riverside on October 1-2 will kick off a big month of October that also includes the 37th Annual Devil’s Bowl Winter Nationals and I-30 Speedway’s 23rd Annual Short Track Nationals. The October event at Riverside will be recorded under the lights of the VERSUS and MavTV cameras as well for later broadcast, just as was originally planned for this weekend.
Race Results, Eldon, MO (April 17th)- Taking advantage of a huge break on lap twenty nine, Randy Martin went on to score a $3000 victory at Lake Ozark Speedway Saturday night in Winged Outlaw Warrior action.
Kyle Hirst in the GP Development A.R.T. with Shark power jumped into the lead at the start followed by Martin. Hirst would set a blistering pace running the cushion as Martin and Jonathan Cornell kept chase. With just a handful of laps in the books, Jason Johnson, in the Pope Transportation Ott-powered Maxim, and Brady Bacon were serving notice that they would be a factor as the duo had moved up to fifth and sixth.
The first caution would come out for a stalled Curtis Evans on the backstretch with four laps complete. At this point, it was Hirst, Martin, Cornell, Cody Baker, and Johnson making up the top five.
The lead trio would remain the same as the green reappeared, but Johnson would move past Baker and into fourth. A lap later, Bacon would get past Baker and into the top five.
As the top five remained the same, another driver moving forward was Jesse Hockett as he moved past Baker and into sixth on lap seven. The action was furious as Johnson moved past Cornell at the flagstand as nine laps were now in the books. A lap later, Bacon would move past Cornell as well. By lap twelve, the leaders got into heavy lapped traffic as Hirst had moved into a comfortable lead. Martin continued to run second as Johnson and Bacon inched closer and continued a great battle for third. By lap seventeen, with Hirst and Martin still leading the way, Johnson had made his way up to Martin. On lap nineteen, Johnson worked his way past Martin going down the backstretch with a slide job coming off of turn two. Martin got a run down the backstretch and returned the favor in between turns three and four with a nasty slider of his own. Johnson got on the brakes hard and had enough momentum to turn underneath Martin and get back by him going down the frontstretch. This allowed Bacon and Cornell to also move right in on Johnson and Martin. A couple of laps later, Bacon worked his way by Martin for third.
On lap twenty two, Hirst was slowing in heavy lapped traffic and Johnson made a daring move as he sliced between lapped cars in turns three and four to narrow the advantage significantly. With all of the leaders mired in traffic and Johnson closing, Hirst would get a break on lap twenty three as Hockett, who was running sixth, ran into Evans in turn four. Evans spun to a stop and Hockett was able to do a 360 and continue saving his spot in the running order.
With open track in front of him, Hirst again jumped into the lead with Johnson giving chase. Martin worked his way past Bacon and set his sights on Johnson for second.
Hirst was running the top to perfection as the laps continued to click off. Johnson was starting to reel him in as twenty eight laps were in the books. On lap twenty nine, disaster would strike for Hirst as he would get too high and climb the cushion in turn two slapping the wall. As he tried to correct his car, he got sideways leaving Johnson with nowhere to go. The two leaders came to a stop just off of turn two ending great runs for both drivers. Martin and Bacon would now move to the front for the restart.
Martin would run the top on the restart with Bacon running low. Martin was able to get the momentum needed to lead the final two laps as he would take the 40th WOW win of his career in the Diamond Pet Foods/Hoosier Tires J&J with Roush-Yates power. Bacon would run a strong second in the Tel Star Communications/Keizer Aluminum Wheels Wesmar-powered XXX. Hockett would come home third in the Fischer Body Shop A.R.T. with Don Ott power. Dustin Barks ran a solid fourth in the Ron’s Tire Center/DSL Computer Systems Maxim with a Gary Beck motor. Eric Todd rounded out the top five in the Team AmsOil Maxim powered by a Joe Todd engine. Mark Shirshekan was sixth in the Cooper Racing J&J followed by Cornell in the Kiowa Line Builders Maxim. Rounding out the top ten were Mike Trent, Baker, and Josh Fisher.
The Winged Outlaw Warriors will next be in action in co-sanctioned races with the ASCS Midwest Tour at Central Missouri Speedway in Warrensburg, MO on Friday April 30th. They will then continue with a co-sanctioned show at the Lucas Oil Speedway in Wheatland, MO on Saturday May 1st. Go to wowsprints.com for all information regarding the Winged Outlaw Warriors.
60 Winged Sprint Cars - A-Main -- 33 Cars Finish Car No Driver Hometown 1 14 Randy Martin California, MO 2 99 Brady Bacon Broken Arrow, OK 3 77 Jesse Hockett Warsaw, MO 4 22 Dustin Barks Farmington, MO 5 21T Eric Todd Falcon, MO 6 3S Mark Shirshekan Farmington, MO 7 28 Jonathan Cornell Sedalia, MO 8 10 Mike Trent Rocheport, MO 9 38 Cody Baker Lone Jack, MO 10 86 Josh Fisher Smithton, MO 11 88 J Kinder Linn, MO 12 72X Curtis Boyer New Haven, MO 13 14K Kyle Bellm Nixa, MO 14 75 Tyler Blank California, MO 15 3X Cody Forshee Wichita, KS 16 48 David Brown Marshall, MO 17 6 Kyle Hirst , 18 41 Jason Johnson Thomasville, PA 19 12A Tommy Worley , 20 1P Curtis Evans Norborne, MO 21 5H Justyn Cox , 22 33 Austin Alumbaugh Higginsville, MO DNS
Press Release (April 2, 2010) -Lucas Oil National vs. Lone Star Region Sprints at Lone Star Speedway April 9 Kilgore TX (4/2/10) by DarinShort.com. The Lucas Oil ASCS National Sprint Car Series takes on the ASCS Lone Star region sprint teams Friday April 9th at Lone Star Speedway – and online ticket sales for the event are now available. Visit www.LoneStarSpeedway.com and on the home page you will find the ‘tickets’ link that will connect you to advance ticket sales to the event. Upwards of 50 sprint teams can be expected, including reigning Lucas Oil Tour champion, Shane Stewart; and Sammy Swindell, Jason Johnson, Gary Wright, Travis Rilat, Tim Crawley, Zach Chappell, Danny Wood, Tony Bruce, Jr., Jack Dover, Jesse Hockett, Sean McClelland, Kenneth Walker, Darren Long, Brady Bacon, Ricky Logan, Eric Baldaccini, Austen Wheatley, Channin Tankersley, Justyn Cox, Kyle Hirst, Joshua Hodges, Dustin Morgan, Matt Covington, Joe Ramaker, Aaron Reutzel and Michael Dupuy are all expected to be on hand. Lone Star region drivers will also kick off their 2010 point’s season; with 2009 Kevin Ramey expected to lead the large contingent of Texas-based teams. The point’s event will pay $6,000 to win and $500 to start and it is the first National series event held at Lone Star Speedway since 2002.
Kyle Hirst Press Release (March 30, 2010) - Chico, Ca. 360 Silver Cup I flew out this last weekend to drive Ted Finkenbinder 3f friday and saturday. Unfortuanlly we had motor problems both nights and where unable to compete either night. It was alot of work to fly out and try and run but thats part of racing. Sometimes thing are out of your control and just have to take the bad with the good. I am back in Warsaw and the team and I are heading down to Texas for the first weekend of April. We will be running with the ASCS Gulf South Region friday and saturday. Friday we will be in Beaumont, Tx at Golden Triangle Raceway Park and Saturday in Baytown, Tx at Houston Raceway Park. Then we plan on staying in town to compete in the National race the next Friday in Kilgore, Tx and head to Little Rock, Ar Saturday. This team is looking forward to the little road trip down south and hope to bounce back from first night at Devils Bowl. Look back this weekend for results of the upcoming weekend. Kyle Hirst Press Release (March 24, 2010) - With this weekend off, I am flying home to run Silver Cup in Chico, CA this friday and saturday. I will be running Ted Finkenbinder #3f that I drove a few times a 2008. I looking forward to get to race Silver Dollar Speedway before I come back in May for the Dave Bradway Memorial. Hope to see everyone at the track this weekend!
Kyle Hirst Press Release (March 24, 2010) - The GP Development #6 hit road for the first National ASCS race of the 2010 season. As we arrived to the track we where informed that the weekend would be a one day show due to weather. 62 car where on hand for the first race and this series everyone draws a pill for starting position in their heats. We drew a 39 pill which put us starting 5th in the 3rd of 7 heats. The track was pretty fast and one lane early and we where running 5th had passed for 4th just as a yellow flag flew. The caution put us back in 5th where we would finish. The finish in the heat put us starting 7th in the first of three b mains and each be only taking 2 transfers. The track had not slicked of yet like we had hoped and started 7th and ran 7th. It was not the start to the year we where lookin for but on the up side the new team worked well together and things ran smoothly. We our lookin forward to our next race. The team is planning to head down to Texas next week depending on weather. Thanks for checking in on the team and we will have post where we will be next early next week.
Kyle Hirst Press Release (March 10, 2010) -Saturday we drew a 9 pill and started 2nd row inside in first heat. The pole sitter jumped the start and it put us on the front row. We got the lead on the start and won the heat never getting to lap traffic. The program called for a second heat but it was a flip of the first heat so if u started pole of first heat you started dead last second heat so we started towards the back in the second heat and ran 5th. This put us 3rd overall in point after all the heats where done and the top 6 in points pulled a pill for starting position. We drew a 4 pill, which put us starting 2nd row outside in the main. On that start we fell into 4th and ran 4th for quite a while until Forsberg broke. We where now in 3rd behind Henry and passed for 2nd twice but yellows feel both times putting us back and never got a run after that and the race was called early for time and we ended up 3rd. A good run to start the year and looking forward to Chico and Texas!
Kyle Hirst Press Release (March 1, 2010) - Kyle will drive the Rich Rosser #23 this weekend at the MRP season opener. The following weekend Kyle will make his 2010 debut in the GP Developemnt #6 at Silver Dollar Speedway with the running of the Mini Gold Cup. The team will then hit the road with the Lucus Oil ASCS National Sprint Tour.
GP Development Press Release (January 19, 2010) -One of the top California sprint car teams in 2009 are ready to take on the challenge of a National Touring Series in 2010. The Loomis, CA based, Gary Perkins owned, GP Development Racing #6, driven by 22-year-old Kyle Hirst have committed to support and contend for the Lucas Oil National ASCS sprint car dirt series championship. “Gary is giving me a chance to get out on the road this year,” said Hirst. “Without his support none of this would be possible.” The team is utilizing A.R.T chassis’ and Shark Racing Engines. They plan to attend 60 races this year. The GP Development #6 will base their operation out of Jesse Hockett’s shop in Missouri. This will give them a good central location to race other venues when the National ASCS has off weekends. Hirst has set his sights on showing up at the most profitable races in the Midwest whether it is a 360 or a 410 event. “The schedule in 2010 will kind of be like last year in California,” said Hirst. “We are going to pick and choose the highest paying races closest to the shop.” The team has plans on racing with the World of Outlaws, All Stars and local regional series. Hirst has accumulated 20 winged sprint car victories since his rookie season in 2004. He is the son of Rick Hirst, a former Northern Auto Racing Club champion. In 2004, Kyle won Rookie of the Year honors at Silver Dollar Speedway in Chico. The next year he traveled with the Golden State Challenge King of California Series. He was voted Rookie of the Year in 2005 for GSC. Hirst enjoyed a break out season in 2009. Driving the GP Development #6, Hirst won eight times at four different racetracks. The safe bet for 2010 could have been to stay home but Hirst explains, “California has treated us real good over the years and it's going to be hard to leave because the racing is great and the fans are amazing.” He continued by saying, “Gary is giving me an opportunity that is too good to pass up. I am looking forward to racing at new tracks and meeting new fans but don't think for a second that a big part of me will not miss racing in California.” It will not be easy on the team, as Hirst believes 95 percent of his races this year will take place at tracks he has never seen. “We want to run up front and hopefully win some races this year,” said Hirst. Gary Perkins is entering his 10^th season as a sprint car owner. It will mark his first attempt at putting a sprint car team on the road outside of California for a full season. Joining Hirst on the road is experienced crew chief Lee Watson. The Orland, CA based tuner has had experience on the road with Bud Kaeding, Kasey Kahne Racing and Jonathan Allard. The third member on the traveling team is Chad Cypert. He helped Kyle Larson last season and is the son of veteran crew chief Chuck Cypert. Race fans will be able to keep track of Kyle Hirst and The GP Development #6 at www.kylehirst.com throughout the 2010 season. The team’s 2010 race schedule should be up soon on the website. GP Development Press Release (December 29, 2009) -Kyle Hirst will return for the 3rd year as the driver for the GP Development, Gary Perkins owned #6 for the 2010 season. Plans include running the Lucas Oil ASCS 360 National Series and select WOO 410 races, schedule permitting.