by Jacon Hord, @HordRaceWatcher
Attica Raceway Park was finally able to get their season underway after multiple rainouts to start the season, kicking off the 2024 Ohio Sprint Car Season. Bryce Lucius picked up the 410 win, his first in the 410 ranks and first at Attica.
Lucius’ Time to Shine: After a solid rookie season in 2023, it was really only a matter of time before Lucius was in victory lane. A heat race win put him in the redraw, and he was able to start in the second row of the feature. He ran third to Nate Dussel and Craig Mintz for a good chunk of the race before getting passed by Cale Thomas, but Lucius was able to get by Dussel, Mintz had a flat tire, and Lucius made the winning pass with two laps left. This should be the first of many wins for Lucius, 2023 National 410 Rookie of the Year.
Thomas, Kiser, Fast out of the Box: Cale Thomas and Jay Kiser Racing had good speed when they linked up midway through 2023, picking up a pair of wins and multiple top five and top ten finishes. Not surprisingly, that speed carried over to the opener on Friday Night. Thomas charged from the ninth starting spot to take the lead from Nate Dussel on lap 22 of the 30 lap Feature. Steering box issues made the car difficult to handle, but Thomas was able to hang on for a second place run.
Cap’s Off Night: It wasn’t the night Cap Henry wanted on Friday. His qualifying time had him starting in the middle of a heat race, and he found himself sitting outside of turn one on the horse track as the green flag flew. That put him in last for the next restart, which wasn’t any better. He made heavy contact with another car, the frontstretch wall, and ended up on his side, ending his heat race. The defending Attica, Fremont, and AFCS Champion started last in a loaded BMain, and would finish fourth, one spot out of the transfer. That probably wasn’t on anyone’s bingo card. Henry will be looking for redemption next time out.
Attica’s New Clay: In the offseason, another batch of new clay was added to the surface of the ⅓ mile oval, after multiple years of struggling with the surface and visibility. From the first set of hotlaps, the track was noticeably better, and it stayed that way through all three features. Visibility wasn’t an issue from my standpoint, or for the viewers watching on DirtVision. It’s only one race, but if this new clay acts like it did on Friday night, Attica won’t have to worry about any dust storms. Multiple drivers applauded the new surface, and the lighting. Two new Musco Lighting poles were installed, along with all the other lights being re-spotted. It was truly an enjoyable viewing experience, albeit a little cold.
Miller Picks Right Back Up: In the 305 division, Jamie Miller scored the win, his 40th at Attica. He got by long-time race leader Dustin Stroup in lapped-traffic and ran away with the win late. Stroup looked to have a very fast car, pulling away from Miller both in clean air, and in traffic. Some bobbles in turn one, and contact with lapped traffic didn’t help Stroup out any, letting Miller catch up and get by.
Notes:
- Riley Goodno was a surprise entrant Friday night, making his ARP debut. Sounds like he may be hanging around Ohio a little more in 2024 with crew chief Andy Potter.
- Goodno, and fellow Friday Night competitor were, to my knowledge, the only two 410 drivers to get two races in this weekend after they both hauled to Farmington, Missouri on Saturday. Racers race.
- A lot of discussion has been had about wicker bills, but according to Duane Hancock, only two drivers, Mike Keegan and Craig Mintz, opted to go with the three inch wicker bill for the feature. Keegan spun on the opening lap, finishing P17, and Mintz’s flat tire took him from running second to a P9 finish.