PETERSEN MEDIA: Turning his attention to USAC in 2021, Paul Nienhiser kicked his rookie campaign off with the USAC National Sprint Car Series over the weekend in Ocala, FL and was pleased to make both feature events against the start studded field.
“Overall, I gave our weekend a ‘B’,” Paul Nienhiser said. “I feel like I exceeded my own expectation racing against USAC, but the more I got comfortable the more I searched for a little more speed.”
Taking advantage off some testing opportunities before the action came to life on Thursday night, Nienhiser actually spent the weekend piloting KO Motorsports’ Kent Schmidt’s 10x Engineered Materials backed entry opposed to the Roadworks/Peterbilt CAM2 Blue Blood Racing Oil machine he was scheduled to drive.
Feeling more comfortable in the different car, things got real on Thursday night during the series’ opening event as the Chapin, IL driver timed in 14th fastest amongst the 23 cars that joined him in his qualifying flight.
With his car a little off for heat race action, Nienhiser would miss the transfer and be forced into the opening night ‘B’ Main event. Lining up 12th in the race, Nienhiser would need to finish inside the Top-6 to keep his night alive. With the car much better underneath him for the semi, Nienhiser would work his way up to seventh with laps winding down.
Taking the white flag on the outside of a transfer position, Nienhiser would let it all hang out on the final lap as he executed a final turn pass to move into the opening night feature event.
With the track extremely slick and used up for the feature, lining up in the 21st starting spot would prove to be a tall order. Doing what he could on the extremely slick surface, Nienhiser would work his way to a 16th place finish.
Continuing to acclimate to the KO Motorsports entry and make changes during the day on Friday, Friday night saw Nienhiser time in fifth quickest in his qualifying flight before contact while fighting for the final transfer position in heat race action forced him into the ‘B’ Main.
Feeling confident in the semi, Nienhiser would turn in some extremely strong laps as he was able to win the semi going away, and move into the feature event where he would grid the field from the 12th starting position.
Able to work his way into the Top-10, Nienhiser would find himself racing wheel to wheel with some of the best that USAC has to offer until contact again got Nienhiser out of shape and cost him several positions.
Trying to make up the lost ground, Nienhiser would get into the wall and cut down his right rear tire forcing him into the work area. Able to make repairs, Nienhiser would close his trip out with a 21st place finish as Saturday night’s finale was rained out.
“It was great to get things started with the whole KO Motorsports team down in Florida, and I am very excited for this opportunity,” Nienhiser added. “I feel like we started gelling really well instantly and feel like we will continue to improve as the year goes on. They have great equipment, and I am confident I can figure these cars out and be competitive all year long.”
Nienhiser would like to thank CAM2 Blue Blood Racing Oil, Roadworks, Peterbilt, Mason Sound, Innovative Design, Bradshaw Custom Pumping, Wessler Bros. Agency, Bob Hawks Auto Body, Littleton Storm & Timber, Fierce Herbicide, Sunstoppers Window Tinting, Engler Machine and Tool, FK Indy, Rider Racing Engines, Kaeding Performance, Smith Titanium Products, Vortex Wings, Signature Signs and Design, and Team Simpson for their continued support.
2021 BY THE NUMBERS: Races-2, Wins-0, Top 5’s-0, Top 10’s-0
ON TAP: Nienhiser’s next scheduled event is on April 3rd when the USAC National Sprint Car Series returns to action at Lawrenceburg Speedway in Lawrenceburg, IN.
STAY CONNECTED: Stay updated with Paul Nienhiser by following him on Twitter @Paul_Nienhiser or by clicking over to www.paulnienhiser.com.
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