Austin Liggett Third in USAC Western States Midget Feature After Wild Ride in Sprint Car
PETERSEN MEDIA: Saturday night was a busy night for Tracy, CA driver, Austin Liggett. Planning to contest both he USAC Western States Midgets and USAC West Coast 360 schedules in 2021, Saturday night saw both of the series in action at Keller Auto Speedway in Hanford, CA as part of the Dave Helm Classic where he would get upside down in the sprint car feature before running third in midget action.
“Saturday night had its ups and downs,” Austin Liggett said. “We timed in pretty poorly in sprint car time trails and that put us kind of deep in the field. We were racing really well, and I felt really good until contact with another car resulted in a pretty nasty tumble.”
In USAC West Coast 360 action, Liggett would time his Excel Environmental Services/Liggett Trucking/Tool Technology backed machine in 12th fastest amongst the 18 cars checked in for the event.
Running second in his heat race, Liggett moved into the feature event where he took the green flag from the 13thstarting position.
Admittedly having a very good car underneath him, it showed as Liggett wasted no time beginning his march toward the front of the field.
Jumping into seventh by the race’s fourth lap, Liggett would continue to flex some muscle as he worked into sixth on the sixth lap. Seemingly getting better and better by each lap, a furious battle amongst a group of cars would result in Liggett taking a wild ride off of turns three and four on the race’s ninth lap.
Taking a quick trip to get checked out by racetrack safety personnel after the violent accident, Liggett would get the all clear to finish his night off in the Midget feature.
Lining up on the front row of the 25-lap feature after timing in seventh fastest and running second in his heat, Liggett would grab the lead on the race’s second lap and set a nice pace out front working the lower side of the speedway.
As Liggett continued to lead the way, unbeknownst to him the top groove was starting to clean off and a few drivers behind him were upstairs getting their machines wound up.
On the race’s 10th lap, Mitchell Moles would use a full head of steam to get by Liggett who slipped back to second and soon would hook up in a hard-fought battle with Ryan Bernal for position.
Bernal would win the battle on the 16th lap, though Liggett would hang on for a final spot on the podium.
“First off I really want to thank and commend the EMT workers at Keller Auto Speedway for their professionalism when checking me out,” Liggett said. “I also have to thank my crew for busting their asses all night long, getting two really good racecars on the track for me.”
Austin Liggett Racing would like to thank Excel Environmental Services, Liggett Trucking, Tool Technology, Hurst Fabrications, Maxwell Industries, Shine Photography, ZMAX Racing Oil, and Transport Products Unlimited for their support.
BY THE NUMBERS: Races-6, Wins-0, Top 5’s-3, Top 10’s-3
ON TAP: Liggett will return to action on Saturday night in Tulare, CA.
STAY CONNECTED: Stay updated with Austin Liggett on Twitter by following along @AustinLiggett
PETERSEN MEDIA: Petersen Media is a promotional agency that can handle your public relations, marketing, and any other promotional needs. Petersen Media utilizes multiple tactics to help you reach your intended audience, to boost awareness.
For more information contact sales@petersenmediainc.com, by phone at 916-342-3424, visit www.petersenmediainc.com, www.facebook.com/PetersenMedia, or follow www.twitter.com/petersen_media.
###