Rico Abreu Scores Back-To-Back Top-Five Finishes During WoO Ironman Weekend At I-55
Story By TYLER ALTMEYER / RICO ABREU RACING – ST. HELENA, CA – Rico Abreu and Federated Auto Parts Raceway at I-55 go hand in hand. The two-time Ironman 55 champion put together another solid weekend at the Pevely, Missouri, highbanks, and although the St. Helena, California-native was unable to add a third Ironman 55 triumph to his ever-growing resume, Abreu concluded the weekend with back-to-back top-five finishes highlighted with a third-place outcome during the Ironman preliminary on Friday, August 7.
Abreu, driver of the Rico Abreu/Curb Agajanian Racing/Abreu Vineyards/Curb Records/Lucas Oil Products/Priority Aviation/Self Made Racing/Dancer Logistics/Salty’s BBQ/XYZ Machining/Whistle Stop Bar and Grill/Stadelhofer Construction/No. 24 sprint car, started his Friday night podium run from the inside of row four, eventually cruising by Donny Schatz and Logan Schuchart in the same corner to solidify his podium performance.
Although concluding the weekend with a fourth-place result during the $20,000-to-win Ironman 55 finale on Saturday, August 8, Abreu was a force to be dealt with and actually took command of the field for a brief period during the 55-lapper. In fact, Abreu drove to the lead after a restart with 20 laps to go, sliding by Shane Stewart between turns one and two to lock down the spot. Unfortunately, his campaign on top would only last a straightaway, as abrupt contact with the turn three cushion nearly sent Abreu for a wild ride. Abreu ultimately recovered and finished fourth at the final checkers.
“It was a great weekend for our team. I feel like I let my guys down a little bit on Saturday, but we’ll shake it off and move forward,” Rico Abreu said, a five-time sprint car winner in 2020. “The car keeps getting better and better and that’s beginning to show. We’ll do what we can to come out on top on Saturday.”
Rico Abreu and Rico Abreu/Curb Agajanian Racing will continue their 2020 campaign with the One And Only at Knoxville Raceway featuring the World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series. The three-day program, kicking-off, officially, on Thursday, August 13, will cap with a $50,000-to-win finale on Saturday, August 15. Abreu is a recent winner at the Sprint Car Capital of the World, capturing a weekly program victory in mid-July.
