Dave Olson Photo
PETERSEN MEDIA: Kicking his 2023 season off in Florida over the course of the last week, Robert Ballou picked up a second-place finish at Volusia Speedway Park, and earned Winter Games Passing Master honors at Bubba Raceway Park after enduring mechanical issues on Thursday night.
“We had really good speed in Florida, and if we didn’t have a couple of mechanical issues in Ocala, FL, I think we would have had a really good weekend there,” Ballou said.
Kicking the season off at Volusia Speedway Park on Monday and Tuesday for a pair of USAC Special Events during the DIRTcar Nationals, Ballou opened 2023 up by timing the Suburban Subaru/Deaton’s Waterfront Service/Rossie Feed and Grain backed No. 12 in 15th fastest in time trials.
Picking up the important heat race win, Ballou lined up in the seventh starting position for the first feature event of the season. On a wide and racy surface, Ballou had his elbows up on the big ½ mile as he carved his way forward and dazzled on lookers.
Carving his way into second, Ballou would chase after Jake Swanson for the top spot, but would ultimately settle for a runner up finish.
Tuesday night got off to an even better start for the Rocklin, CA runner as he timed in third quickest in qualifying time trials. Lining up sixth in his heat race, ‘The Mad Man’ continued to impress at VSP as he worked his way forward and tallied a second-place finish in his heat race, locking him into the feature event.
Lining up fourth in the feature, Ballou had high hopes for another strong run in the feature, but his pre-race adjustments didn’t play out how he had hoped. Fighting a tight racecar, Ballou slipped back inside the Top-10 as he capped the two-night stay at Volusia Speedway Park with an eighth-place finish.
Making the trip to Ocala, FL for the first points paying events of the season, Ballou would run into troubles in Hot Laps, as he made the move to a backup car just before qualifying time trials.
Able to get a lap in, Ballou found himself in a deep hole as he was officially scored 25th quick amongst the 27 cars checked into the pit area.
Lining up last in his heat race, Ballou came to life as he worked his way into the fifth and final transfer position and was able to lock directly into the feature event.
Taking the green flag from the 22nd and final starting position, Ballou continued to charge just as he did in his heat race. Working his way through the field at will, Ballou get up to the ninth position during the race’s closing laps.
Continuing to battle for track position, Ballou would wind up 10th, capping off an impressive charge from 22nd.
Following a rain out on Friday, Saturday would bring the week to a close at Bubba Raceway Park and the Winter Games, as Ballou timed in 12th fastest in time trials before finishing fourth in his heat race.
Moving into the feature, Ballou rolled off the starting grid from the 13th position. Looking to make another run through the field, Ballou would have a misstep under the hood of his car on the third lap, and it would bring his night to an early end.
Though his night ended early, Ballou still did enough on Thursday night to earn the Winter Dirt Games Passing Master award for his efforts.
“It was tough to not run the feature on Saturday night after the speed we had on Thursday,” Ballou said. “I am happy with our speed, and I am excited to get going in April back in Indiana. Thank you to the guys who made the trip with me, and all of my great partners for making these trips possible.”
Robert Ballou would like to thank Suburban Subaru, Deaton’s Waterfront Service, Rossie Feed and Grain, Berks Western Telecom, Inc., Dan Roberts Motorsports, Dragonfly Aviation, Hinchman Indy, Don Ott Racing Engines, Manvel Motorsports, CSI Shocks, Walker Performance Filtration, Amsoil Inc, Murray’s Body Shop, Pacific Grass and Turf, MPHG Promotions Inc, Team Jack Foundation, Olson Custom Design, Konnected Clothing, Hooker Harness, Indy Race Parts, Hoosier Tire, Schoenfeld Headers, ISC Racers Tape, Chalk Racing Products, Keizer Aluminum Wheels, Saldana Racing Products, Moose Blocks, Inc., AO Designs, and Arai Helmets for their support.
ON TAP: Robert Ballou will return to action when USAC picks back up on April 1st at Lawrenceburg Speedway.
BY THE NUMBERS: Starts-4, Wins- 0, Top 5’s- 1, Top-10’s- 3
STAY CONNECTED: Stay up to speed with ‘The Mad Man’ by following him on Twitter @RoberBallou81, liking https://www.facebook.com/robertballoumotorsports/, or by clicking over to www.balloumotorsports.com.
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