The Crosley Brands 150 at Kentucky Speedway: In a state that puts a premium on horsepower Thomas “Moose” Praytor will have a fresh set of Ford Horses under the hood for Friday night. “Our guys at Professional Engine in Mobile were waiting on us with a fresh motor when we got back from Chicago. We were on the chassis dyno with it on Wednesday and it looks like we may get a few more horses out of this one.” Horses will be in demand at Kentucky, one of the fastest mile and a half’s on the tour. “Last year we ran a special scheme for Chive Charities/GoodBookey at Kentucky, we had a lot of fun with the Chive Fans, they are crazy!” In 2016 Praytor recorded a career best at Kentucky and he’ll need to be on his game again Friday night to hold on to 7th place in the Championship standings.
The Crosley Brands 150 is a busy 1 day event on Friday. An hour and half long practice session starts at Noon CST, followed by Menards Pole Qualifying at 4:10 CST and the green flag at 7:00 CST. Live timing and scoring for practice, qualifying and the race will be on ARCAracing.com. This race will be televised on Fox Sports 1 on Saturday at 7:00 pm, Channels in Mobile Comcast/Xfinity 49/241HD, Mediacom 52, Direct TV 219, Dish 150, AT&T Uverse 652.
WATCH THE MAVTV BROADCAST OF SALEM ON SATURDAY NIGHT AT 9:00 CST.
ARCA CHAMPIONSHIP STANDING: 7th
CAR: Roush Chassis #461,”Black Betty”-Black Betty has been the team’s short track stalwart and was the 2nd car the team purchased. Praytor drove the car to his career best ARCA finish of 7th at the ARCA Mobile 200 and Betty has been utilized seven times in 2017, Salem, Toledo, Madison, Iowa, LOR, Winchester, Road America, Salem & Elko. Betty is a 105” car and this is her last year for ARCA competition, Praytor is attempting to finish the season with his favorite car.
What to look for this weekend: Kentucky was repaved last year and again this year, General Tire is bringing a special tire for Kentucky to handle the heat from new asphalt. Over 20 teams tested on Wednesday and there will be a lot of data to absorb before Friday.
Kentucky Speedway Track Specs:
1.5 Mile Tri-Oval
Banking-14 Degrees in Corners, 8-10 Degrees in Tri-Oval and Back Straight 4 degrees
The infield garage is shaped like a W for Darrell Waltrip.
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THOMAS “MOOSE” PRAYTOR: Praytor, the current Ironman of the Series made his 100th ARCA start at Road America in 2017 in a string that went all the way back to his first ARCA start in the inaugural ARCA-Mobile 200 at Mobile International Speedway in 2012. In his first season he saw action with Andy Belmont Racing and Venturini Motorsports. Mobile, Alabama’s Max Force Racing teamed with Hixson Motorsports in 2013 & 2014, the pairing finished 9th and 7th in the ARCA Series Championship standings respectively. In 2015 Praytor and his family owned Max Force Racing team struck out on their own from Mobile, Alabama earning another top 10 in the Championship standings coming in 8th. 2016 was a break out season for the Moose garnering his first top 5 finish in the Championship Standings. ARCA awarded Praytor the H.G. Adcox Sportsmanship Award in 2013.
Away from the track Praytor was one of AJ McCarron’s centers through grade school and high school winning a state title in 2007. For the last 5 years the duo have teamed up with a specially prepared McCarron replica racing helmet that Praytor wears then donates to the Alabama Institute of Deaf & Blind for their annual Race Fever auction. During the week Thomas becomes Professor Praytor teaching and testing CDL students at Bishop State College. For more on the Moose- www.thomaspraytor.com.