6/18/2022
Drake Troutman
Troutman records Top-5 finish in DIRTcar Summer Nationals opener
Drake Troutman made the haul to the Land of Lincoln on Tuesday afternoon as the DIRTcar Summer Nationals kicked off at Kankakee County Speedway (Kankakee, Ill.). (Jim DenHamer photos)
Pulling double duty in his Late Model and Modified, Drake secured his spot into the $5,000-to-win opening night feature with a heat race win. Carrying a steady pace in the 40-lapper, Troutman notched a fourth-place finish. He followed Ryan Unzicker, Bobby Pierce, and Dennis Erb Jr. across the line with Jason Feger coming in fifth.
After placing second in his Modified heat, Troutman pulled off early in the A-Main due to poor track conditions.
In only his Late Model on Wednesday at Peoria Speedway (Peoria, Ill.), Drake topped his time trial group in qualifying before placing second in his heat. Losing one spot in the 40-lap feature, Troutman posted a seventh-place finish.
In a field of 39 Late Models on Thursday at Davenport Speedway (Davenport, Iowa), Troutman edged his way into the main event with a third-place finish in his heat. With $5,000 on the line, Drake was credited with a 21st-place outing after pulling off on lap 22 due to overheating issues. He ran as high as sixth until exiting early.
Breaking out his Late Model and Modified on Friday at Tri-City Speedway (Granite City, Ill.), Drake was forced to take a provisional into the $10,000-to-win Late Model feature following a ninth-place finish in his heat. Losing one spot in the 40-lapper, Troutman logged a 23rd-place outing.
With a seventh-place finish in his Modified heat pinning him on the 11th row for the feature, Troutman retired on the 12th circuit.
In a stout field of 50 Late Models on Saturday afternoon at Fairbury Speedway (Fairbury, Ill.), Drake laid down the third-fastest lap in his group before placing second in his heat. With $10,000 on the line in the feature, Troutman pulled off on lap 15.
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