By: Chris Santos
4/12/23... Antioch California: Saturday Night, Blake would make his first start of 2023 & his first start since his injury back in November. He would take his Ecotec engine & run against the BCRA Midgets & a strong field of 20 drivers.
He would get his night started with qualifying, where he would be the 16th of 20 cars to hit the track. Despite going out late, Blake would lay down a solid lap, that would end up putting Blake 7th quick overall in qualifying.
That would line Blake up on the outside of row two in the 4th starting position for his heat race. He would show some solid speed in the heat race, trying to battle forward. Blake would end up finishing in the 3rd position & setting himself up nicely for the feature.
Blake would end up rolling off on the pole of the feature event. He would have a solid run in the feature, as he would lead some laps. Blake would battle hard up front & would ultimately come home with a 3rd place finish.
It was a solid return to the track for Blake & his team. He would quickly get comfortable behind the wheel & showed really good speed. Despite just returning to the track, Blake was able to bring home a podium finish against a strong field of drivers.
"It was great getting back in the seat and a great way to start the season! I couldn’t be more happier to be back at the track and compete with some great friends," Blake continued. "We decided to run with the BCRA Midgets with our Ecotec powered midget and see how we could perform with them and we definitely had some great battles and put up a fight with some great drivers!"
Next Race: 4/29, Ventura Speedway
2023 Season Stats: 1 events, 1 features, 0 wins, 1 top-5's, 1 top-10's.
Blake would like to thank his sponsors; #OrlandPublicAutoAuction, #NationalTowing, @mountaincascade, @cascade_motorsports, #ArborSpecialties, @zmaxraceproducts, @linex_of_pittsburg_ca, #VanDyneEngineering, @soldbuyguys, #EKTrucking, #RainForRent, #team1industries, #trivalleyhose, @motivatedeyewear, Al and christy Huggans, and Ron Singh.