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Inside Line Promotions – OCALA, Fla. (Feb. 13, 2018) – Zane Hendricks overcame a number of challenges to score a pair of top-10 finishes last weekend during the Sunshine State Midget Challenge with the POWRi Lucas Oil National Midget League at Bubba Raceway Park.

In his quest to run the full national tour this year, it was imperative for the Oklahoman to compete in the first point races in Florida. While a prior commitment prevented his father from hauling the car and being in attendance, arrangements were made to have veteran racer Brad Loyet transport the car to Florida and assist at the track. Those arrangements were scrapped the day before Loyet was scheduled to leave his shop near St. Louis.

“My dad called and told me that Brad had been injured in a shop accident and wouldn’t be able to go to Florida,” Zane Hendricks said. “He also told me that Chad Boat had an open car and that I’d be able to drive it.”

Hendricks had never been to Bubba Raceway Park. He was going to drive a different car for a different owner and – for the first time in the 18-year-old’s racing career – his father wouldn’t be there to assist him.

After a few hot laps on Friday, Hendricks started last in his heat race and failed to move forward.

“The car took a little getting used to,” he said. “And the track was difficult, too. It’s a very unique and technical track.”

Hendricks started last in the 19-car A Main.

“I didn’t really have great expectations for the feature,” he said. “But the track came in really good. The car handled great and I could run the top and bottom in both corners and we started picking them off a few at a time. I think we could have had a top three if we had a few more laps.”

Hendricks charged from 19th to a fifth-place finish, which marked his career-best result in a POWRi National event.

The weekend wrapped up on Saturday. Hendricks finished fifth in a heat race to line up 15th in the main event.

“I had a little trouble getting around some slower cars early in the feature,” he said. “There weren’t any cautions, so that dropped me back a ways behind the leader and I eventually got lapped about halfway through the race.

“I think there were about three cars ahead of me that got lapped. I eventually got by them, but then I was the first car a lap down and wasn’t able to improve my position.”

Hendricks maneuvered to a ninth-place result. His first visit to Florida resulted in a solid performance as well as a valuable learning experience.

“I usually do my own setups,” he said. “It was great having three guys working on the car who obviously have way more experience working on these cars than I do. I was able to learn a lot. Chad, Billy and Corey were all great to me. I really enjoyed racing with them.”

Hendricks is slated to return to action March 23-24 at I-44 Riverside Speedway in Oklahoma City, Okla., for the Turnpike Challenge with the POWRi Lucas Oil National Midget League.

QUICK RESULTS –

Feb. 9 – Bubba Raceway Park in Ocala, Fla. – Heat race: 7 (7); Feature: 5 (19).

Feb. 10 – Bubba Raceway Park in Ocala, Fla. – Heat race: 5 (3); Feature: 9 (15).

SEASON STATS –

3 races, 0 wins, 1 top five, 2 top 10s, 2 top 15s, 2 top 20s

UP NEXT –

March 23-24 at I-44 Riverside Speedway in Oklahoma City, Okla., for the Turnpike Challenge with the POWRi Lucas Oil National Midget League

MEDIA LINKS –

Website: http://www.ZaneHendricks.com

Twitter: https://twitter.com/hendricks_zane

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Zanehendricksracing/

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“Brad Benic’s customer service is one of the best out there,” Hendricks said. “He’s always open to any questions, trying something new, helping with setups. His turn-around times are great.”

Hendricks would also like to thank Vacuworx, CK Power, Shorty’s Machine Shop, BP Fab, Esslinger, Keizer Aluminum Wheels, Momentum Racing Suspensions, Walker Performance Filtration, Eagle Motorsports, Intruder Chassis and Outlaw Wings for their continued support.

INSIDE LINE PROMOTIONS –

Inside Line Promotions specializes in affordable public relations and media management for motor sports drivers, teams, sponsors, tracks, series, events, organizations and manufacturers. ILP Founder Shawn Miller leverages professional journalism with new media technologies and social networking to improve your exposure and the return on investment for your sponsors.

To meet the media relations needs of your program by joining Team ILP, contact Shawn at 541-510-3663 or Shawn@InsideLinePromotions.com. For more information on Inside Line Promotions, visit http://www.InsideLinePromotions.com.