By: Fast Time Media
10/25/23… Tulare, California: Thursday, Friday, and Saturday Night, Seth Standley was in action at the Tulare Thunderbowl. He’d take on his first Trophy Cup and also make his first ever laps at the Tulare Thunderbowl Raceway.
The Yuba City, CA driver began his Trophy Cup by timing in 24th quickest in group A for qualifying. He was the 11th car out & was able to put down a time of 14.486. That put Seth on the pole of his heat race. Starting 1st, he’d fall backwards in a tough heat. Seth would end up holding on & finishing 4th.
Seth would make it into the heat race where he’d start on the outside of row seven in 14th. He’d get into the wall early into the B-main & hurt the car. Seth would try & continue on but the car would be tough to handle & he’d end up pulling off & ending the B-main there.
“We qualified 24th in the first flight of qualifying. Went out for the heat race & started 1st. Kind of didn’t get the start we wanted, fell back to 4th there. Went out for the B-main & started somewhere in the back. Just got into the wall in the first corner & kind of made things hard. The right front shock stud busted & we lost brakes on lap three. Didn’t get to finish the B, so didn’t get the laps we wanted but definitely learned a lot.”
Night Two would get off to a tougher start for Seth. He’d start the night out by timing in 27th quickest for Group A. That would line him up in the 7th spot for his heat race. After starting 7th, Seth would go on to finish where he started in the 7th position for his heat race.
That put Seth starting 18th in the B-main. This time, Seth would be able to get some very valuable laps on Friday. He’d battle in the back for most of the B-main, but was able to put the right rear on the wall & get comfortable as the race went on. Ultimately, Seth finished 18th, but got some very valuable seat time in Tulare!
“To start out Night Two of Trophy Cup, I qualified 27th. It wasn’t too good, I messed up in 3 & 4 both laps & almost flipped on one of them. My crew got me out for the heat race where I started 7th. I couldn’t really go anywhere because it was a one lane track. In the B-main I quickly spun but kept it going, & then got lapped & from there my night was pretty much done. We definitely learned a lot.”
Going into the finale, Seth was outside of the top-48 in points & had to go to the D-main. With every car transferring he’d just try not to wreck & after starting 1st would finish 4th. That put him 9th in the C-main. After starting 9th, Seth would use the experience he gained the past few days & would start to move forwards. He’d end up getting to 5th, coming up just short of a transfer to the B-main & bring his night & Trophy Cup to an end.
“Third Night of Trophy Cup started in the D-main where everyone transferred. I wasn’t trying to mess anything up on the car so I went 1st to 4th. I started 9th & just made some mistakes. However, I learned from my mistakes & got better as the race went on. I ended up one spot out of a transfer & that ended our Trophy Cup.”
It was a good weekend for Seth at his first ever Trophy Cup. Despite it being his first time in Tulare, he quickly adapted and was able to go right up to the wall without any hesitation. He also showcased some good speed at a track that he’s never been to.
Seth would like to thank his sponsors; SALCO Better Energy, Swimming Pool Perfections, and Yuba City Scrap and Steel.
2023 season stats: 35 events, 18 features, 0 wins, 1 top-5's, 2 top-10's
Next Race: TBA
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