Armstrong Hits Stride Late During Ohio Sprint Speedweek

Story By: ANTHONY CORINI / ARMSTRONG RACING – NEW CASTLE, IN – It was a rocky start to a grueling week for Caleb Armstrong. After having mechanical issues all night at Eldora, which forced the #7C team to utilize an All-Star provisional, things appeared to take a turn for the worse as a broken axle the following night at Wayne County sent Armstrong’s right front tire for an airborne ride during hot laps.

Fortunately, Armstrong was able to muscle his three-wheeled machine to rest relatively unscathed. Armstrong nailed down a respectable lap, qualified through his heat race in the 57-car field only to come to a stop on the front stretch with more mechanical issues.

The following night at Sharon, Armstrong grabbed the final transfer spot in the B-main and showed speed in the feature but elected not to turn back under the race leader to get his lap back. Waynesfield Raceway Park took the Wednesday rain date and Armstrong once again qualified through his heat race lining the #7C up 14th. Armstrong got up to eighth, but faded towards the end and was officially scored 11th.

Then things took a turn for the better. In Armstrong’s Muskingum County Speedway debut, he won the dash, started second in the feature and finished there for his career best finish. After Limaland rained out, Armstrong again qualified for the dash at Atomic by winning his heat race in a stout 53-car field. Armstrong won the dash once again, led some laps before hiccupping on a restart and falling to fifth.

“After the start to the week we had, I was just glad to see our stuff stop breaking,” Armstrong said with a chuckle. “I messed up on the restarts, Duncan and Bayston were real good, but I should have finished in third,” Armstrong said of his Atomic run.

There’s no time for rest for the Indiana native and the rest of the Arctic Cat All Star Circuit of Champions drivers. The All Stars make their first appearance of the year at Kokomo on Friday and return to the Wayne County Speedway the following night. Heading into the weekend, Armstrong sits third in the point standings.