Roderick Sets Fast Time in SpeedFest Qualifying, Return to Racing

Casey Roderick wasted no time getting back up to speed.

Roderick, making his first Super Late Model appearance since June, returned to action at Protect Your Melon - Buckle Up SpeedFest at Crisp Motorsports Park. His first order of business? Setting fast time in qualifying with a lap of 15.696 seconds.

"I've been racing a long time," Roderick told Racing America. "Taking a break from it sucks, I won't lie. It's good to come back out with a good team, Team Platinum gave me an opportunity to race again. I really appreciate them what they're doing, and being affiliate with ACR, I believe, is the best team in the pit area right now for what they offer. Everything is top-notch and Anthony [Campi] runs a good program.

"I'm really happy with the car, the way it turned out. It drives really good. I'm just making regular laps out there, nothing special. Making good, smooth adjustments, good, smooth reactions. Tomorrow's going to be a good day."

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While Roderick was fastest in the time trial session, he was not as fortunate in the top-eight redraw that followed. Roderick drew the number eight pill, meaning he will start on the outside of the fourth row Saturday afternoon.

"Obviously, it's the same. You just want to get the race started and fall in a groove. You've got to last until the end. Feeling out your car and not overdoing everything, trying too hard. Just stay in a good rhythm and pick them off when you're able. If you're not, work on it in the pit stops and try to make it better."

Dawson Sutton inherited pole position following the redraw, meaning he will lead the field to green in his Super Late Model debut. Sutton set the fastest lap in practice on both Thursday and Friday.

"We've had a great car all week here," Sutton told Racing America. "For the past two days, we've had a really good car. We've been really solid, really consistent, working on our race pace.

"Starting up front is really going to help for my first Super race. 150 laps, we're just going to have to hold on. I just wanted to be in the invert in the first place, and starting up front is really cool for my first race."

Josh Berry was third in the qualifying session, but failed post-qualifying technical inspection. He will start from the rear of the Super Late Model field on Saturday.

"First off, I want to thank Kevin and DeLana [Harvick], everybody at KHI for bringing me here and Harrison's USA coming on board and supporting us. The qualifying lap was a big improvement from what we had in practice. I wasn't able to be here yesterday due to the FOX productions.

"Unfortunately, we got disqualified for the height of the air filter. I guess, that's an updated rule for 2024. I don't know, I haven't looked at the update. I'm sure it's there. Rules are rules, and we were wrong. The Super Late Model program at KHI is still very new. We ran one race at the Derby, and we're working hard trying to learn, catch up and get better."

In the JEGS/CRA All-Stars Tour Pro Late Model qualifying session, Hudson Bulger set fast time with a lap of 15.965 seconds.

"We just really focused on our race runs all throughout practice," said Bulger. "We just threw tires on it at the end and it ended up working out.

"We have a lot ahead of us in 2024. We've just got to keep up the momentum, and this is a great way to start the season."

Augie Grill, who won last year's SpeedFest Pro Late Model feature, will start on the pole after drawing the top spot. Grill had qualified eighth.

-Photo credit: Will Bellamy/Racing America

SUPER LATE MODEL QUALIFYING RESULTS

PRO LATE MODEL QUALIFYING RESULTS