March 14, 2016

When the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East visited Mobile International Speedway on March 13th for the first time, Trey Hutchens didn’t know what to expect. The future NC State Wolfpack student had never seen the racing surface, and by deciding to opt out of the optional test day the weekend prior, he was a step behind fellow competitors before the “Mobile 150” got started.

 

However, Hutchens was quick to take to the high-banks of Mobile International Speedway. By posting a time of 5th quick in the lone practice session, Hutchens was able to forget about missing the optional test day. Adding to this sense, Hutchens was also able to qualify in the third-position for the inaugural event, a career best.

 

When the green flag dropped, Hutchens battled well inside the Top-5, running as high as the second position. Hutchens continued a career day up until lap 58, when tragedy struck in the form of a blown right front tire. After limping to pit road and righting damage, Hutchens found himself four laps down.

 

For the remainder of the event, Hutchens ran laps relative, and at times, faster than the leader. When the checkered flag flew, Hutchens and team were relegated to a 21st place finish. At the end of the event, Hutchens had this to say:

 

“I am extremely proud of what my Dad and I accomplished today. We put ourselves in a position to win a race in NASCAR’s top regional touring series, but circumstance and luck didn’t coexist. It feels good to know even though you are a small operation with one car and one motor, if you are willing to work hard, you can still compete with the series’ best. There was no issue structurally with the tire, Goodyear deemed we ran over a piece of debris. It is unfortunate, but also, it is racing.

 

You don’t get the opportunity to drive Chevrolet SS’s like I got to today often, and when you do, you feel like you need to capitalize.”

 

Hutchens and team will be back in NASCAR K&N Pro Series action in two weeks at Greenville-Pickens Speedway.

 

• Trey Hutchens Racing PR