Rico Abreu Enjoys Excitement & Success During Knoxville Nationals Run
Story By: TYLER ALTMEYER / RICO ABREU RACING – ST. HELENA, CA – Rico Abreu’s August campaign continued to prove successful, padding his recent $20,000 Ironman 55 victory at Federated Auto Parts Raceway at I-55 with an A-main start during Knoxville Nationals competition at Knoxville Raceway.
The true pinnacle of sprint car racing – the sport’s Super Bowl – Abreu qualified for the world’s biggest sprint car event by way of runner-up finish during Knoxville Nationals preliminary competition on Thursday, August 9. The Knoxville Nationals finale, a 50-lap program awarding a $150,000 top prize on August 11, featured 25 of the world’s best; Abreu was scored 24th.
“The last two weeks have been season-altering for us,” Abreu explained, driver of the Rico Abreu Racing/Abreu Vineyards/Alpinestars/Lucas Oil/Rhino Wipe/Priority Aviation/No. 24 sprint car. “To go from an Ironman victory to qualifying for the Knoxville Nationals A-main is pretty awesome. We certainly struggled during the early parts of the season, but this has certainly altered our attitudes for the better. I can’t say enough about this race team and what they are capable of doing. They never give up. They are mentally strong and keep pushing even when things get bad. I owe all of my recent successes to them.”
With Knoxville Nationals preliminary points setting Saturday night’s line-up, Abreu started the 50-lapper from the inside of row seven. Unfortunately, the St. Helena, Calif., native was cut short of any top-ten potential, actually forced to retire after the turn three and four cushion got the best of the familiar No. 24 sending Abreu for a wild ride. Abreu walked away from the incident unharmed.
“It wasn’t how we wanted to end our Nationals run, but that stuff happens. At least we were right there battling for a top-ten spot,” Abreu continued, who has now qualified for three consecutive Knoxville Nationals A-mains. “I was racing as hard as I could. On a stage that like, you can’t wait around. Regardless, we’re proud of our accomplishments and excited to move down the road.”
