By: Fast Time Media
9/8/23… Burlington, Washington: Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Monday Night, Bailey Jean would battle the World of Outlaws in Washington. As the best in the world made there way west, Bailey would look to gain experience & learn anything she can against the best.
“These guys are the best of the best, and each time I watch them or race against them I learn more and more. There’s a lot of setup that us regulars at Skagit never even think of. I parked between Gravel & Zearfoss for all three nights, and I watched as their crews were constantly working on the car.“
Bailey’s best of the three nights at Skagit Speedway was on Thursday Night. While she struggled in qualifying & her heat race, she made changes going into the Last Chance Showdown which seemed to help. She would miss a transfer to the feature, but still moved forward even finishing in front of some notable drivers.
Unfortunately, track conditions would do a complete 180 going into Friday & Saturday, sending Bailey’s notes from Thursday out the door. She was able to time in much better on Friday, going 24th quick out of 33 cars. Bailey also managed a better heat race finish, as she finished 7th before a 10th place finish in the Last Chance Showdown. The track would be much of the same for Saturday & Bailey would end up 11th in the Last Chance Showdown.
“We ended up changing almost our entire set up for Thursday due to how rough the track was. The car was much better after that but then Friday the track was completely opposite and was dead slick in qualifying,” Bailey continued. “Unfortunately I struggle with dry slick tracks, feeling like we can never get the rear tires to plant on the ground and give us that forward drive that we need.“
Going into Monday, Bailey would make her lone trip of the 2023 race season to Grays Harbor Raceway. Despite her lack of experience at the track, Bailey was excited to get some more laps at the track. She went 27th quickest on a dry slick track. Bailey then went on to finish 9th in the heat race & 11th in the Last Chance Showdown on a hooked up track. That would bring an end to her weekend with the World of Outlaws in Washington.
“I was really really excited to get back to Grays Harbor Raceway. Due to limited races in the PNW for 410 we usually only go to the track in Elma once a year, when the WoO come to town.”
It was a draining weekend on Bailey & her team. Racing against the best in the country with only around 12 races under her belt this year, it was hard for Bailey to be perfect like you need to be to run with the Outlaws. However, you don’t get better as a driver by sitting on your couch or in the stands watching the races. There was a lot of things Bailey was able to take away from this weekend & learn from. That’s all you can hope for when you battle the best.
“Our weekend with the outlaws was certainly mentally draining. However, I picked myself up every day and got back out there regardless of the previous results. I’m not going to get better as a driver if I’m sitting in the stands, I’m only going to get better by turning more laps.“
Bailey has her final race of the 2023 race season on September 16th at Skagit Speedway. It is Championship Night, and Bailey will be looking to end the season on a high note. She currently sits 7th in the points & can start as high as 7th as the top-6 in points are locked into the dash.
“One last race on Sept. 16th at Skagit Speedway. We are 7th in owner points, so the best I can start is 7th. The top 6 are locked into a dash, while the rest of us qualify.”
Bailey would like to thank her sponsors; JM Bass Trucking, TR Barrett Inc, Bickford Motors Inc, Dunlap Industrial Hardware, Art By Nature, Buzz Inn Steakhouse, Sharon and Fred Crabtree, Product41, Jason Sucich, Pacific Logging LLC, Crew Members, Family, and Friends.
2023 season stats: 16 events, 6 features, 0 wins, 0 top-5's, 4 top-10's.
Next Race: 9/16, Skagit Speedway
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