5/10/2008
Derek Snyder
Top 10 Finish in Season Opener
Vertech Motorsports traveled to Clio, Michigan, to compete at Auto City Speedway Satuday with Derek Snyder behind the wheel.
Many changes were made over the winter, and it was Snyder's first time racing at Auto City, so running ok and just finishing the race was the teams main goal.
Practice went well, even though some beginning of the season bugs had to get worked out. With fresh rubber on the car, Snyder was able to lay down a 13.61 which was good enough for 9th place, but since he is a Rookie of the Year contender, he had to start in the back of all events despite his qualifying times. Finally, after a long winter it was time for the first heat race of the night.
Starting in 7th in the heat, Snyder made it look easy charging to third place where he would finish. Some adjustments still needed to be made but the team was off to a good start. The Sprint Cars lined up for the first feature on a beautiful night, Snyder had to start towards the back with the other 3 Rookie of the Year contenders. The start was hairy but everyone got through turns one and two ok. In turns 3 and 4 Hettinger and flint made it Three wide so Snyder backed off to avoid wrecking, the cars sped back into turns one and two and Flint spun directly in front of Snyder which almost caused a wreck. A car in front of the Vertech Motorsports #22 was spraying oil all over and making it very hard for Snyder to keep a handle on the car and see. The race was riddled with cautions which caused Snyder to run low on fuel and have fuel pick up problems which kept him stuck in 10th throughout the race. The team is off to a good start for the Rookie of the Year title and looks forward to their first trip to Delaware Speedway for another exciting race.