Eddie Sharp Racing Post Race Report: ARCA Racing series
RACE: Berlin ARCA 200 presented by Hantz Group
TRACK: Berlin (Mich.) Raceway
DATE: August 11, 2012
ROOKIE MASON MITCHELL ADDS ANOTHER TOP FIVE TO HIS STATS WITH A FIFTH-PLACE FINISH IN JUST HIS THIRD ARCA START
> MARNE, Mich. (August 14, 2012)- Mason Mitchell brought home another fifth-place finish in just his third Automobile Racing Club of America (ARCA) Racing Series start at Berlin Raceway on the shores of western Michigan.
After starting on the front row, matching his second-place qualifying effort at Indianapolis' Lucas Oil Raceway Park, Mitchell once again qualified his Eddie Sharp Racing No. 6 J&S AG Services/Make-A-Wish Chevrolet. The rookie driver spun his tires on the start to fall back and settle in the eighth position during the opening laps.
Mitchell battled his way back to the front during an unbelievably long green flag run lasting over 160 laps.
The caution finally came out on lap 161 when Canache hit the wall. The yellow flag allowed Kimmel and Mitchell to dive down pit road for fresh tires in the only scheduled pit stop of the race. After the stops cycled through, Mitchell rejoined the field for the restart in the fourth position for the final restart.
Mitchell fared a little better, but still started slow on the final restart losing two positions to getting up to speed in the sixth position. On lap 187, Mitchell showed his talent avoiding a late accident, while moving up to claim the fifth position where he continued to run until the checkered flag. Chris Buescher won the race and Frank Kimmel finished in the runner-up position. Erik Jones, Tom Hessert and Mitchell rounded out the top five.
Mitchell has completed three ARCA Racing Series events, and has finished inside the top-10 in all three races. He has two second-place qualifying runs, two fifth-place finishes and one 10th-place finish in his young ARCA career.
"I made a mistake on the restarts again spinning the tires," commented Mitchell. "I just need to work on that, and it will come with more experience. Once I get that figured out, we will win races."
After some test sessions and a few late model races, Mitchell will be back in the No. 6 J&S AG Services/Make-A-Wish Chevrolet for ESR at Kansas Speedway in Kansas City, Mo. on October 19th. |
