“We rallied back from adversity, ” said Dominick Casola after finishing 18th in the ARCA RE/MAX Series Hantz Group 200 presented by Federated Car Care. “The track was still wet from a rain shower and the car went straight into the wall. ”
The Holmdel, NJ racer was not talking about something that happened in the race but something that happened during practice the day prior to the race. Despite that problem Casola was able to qualify for the race in 27th starting spot with a 17.401 second clocking on the half-mile Toledo Speedway facility. The qualifying effort was at least one second quicker than practice runs.
Casola, a graduate of truck racing at Wall Township, NJ Speedway, was optimistic about the opportunities for a strong finish with the A. Casola Farms Ford owned by veteran ARCA and NASCAR racer Andy Belmont in the Sunday afternoon race.
Just 28 laps into the 200-lap race, being seen live nationally on SPEED television, Casola was hit by another competitor and spun, damaging a tire, bringing out the caution. The Belmont crew did a great job in getting the youngster back in action.
“It was a little wild out there today, ” said Casola. “Some of the guys out there hit everything but the lottery. We were in the middle of lot of incidents but avoided them and saved damage on the racecar. ”
However near the end of the 200-lap race Casola got caught up in a wild melee that had him getting drilled in the rear. “Cars were going every which way, ” was the young racers comment. “It was just a racing deal. ”
The race had a green-white-checkered finish with young Ken Butler getting his first career win in a controversial finish. It was the eighth different winner in eight ARCA RE/MAX Series races run this season.
Credited with finishing 197 laps the team earned an 18th place finish after starting 27th.
“The track had a lot of grip coming off Turn 2 and Turn 4 was a little narrow, ” Dominick said. “The track had a lot of character. I am looking forward to our second visit to Toledo Speedway later in the season. ”
Casola is optimistic about the balance of the season. He feels that the A. Casola Farms Ford will be contending for wins and getting some top ten finishes as the season progresses. He could use some better luck.
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