Slatington, PA - With a few laps remaining in the RACA/REMAX Series Pocono 200 last Saturday at the Pocono International Raceway, Kory Rabenold was destined for a solid top ten effort. The tables turned in a hurry when his Buzzy's Auto Body Chevy Monte Carlo spun in the tunnel turn.
The team started the weekend off with pole qualifying on Friday with a solid 20th place effort after borrowing a transmission from fellow competitor and friend, Bobby Gerhart. Kory stated "The car was awesome during qualifying and I was happy with where we qualified". However, with the transmission change Kory still had his work cut out for Saturday- he was forced to start 32nd.
The next morning ARCA allowed us to change the transmission again, this time we had the correct gear ratio and helped as Kory worked through the field. For the start of the race, the team felt confident for a good day.
The race kicked off Saturday and along with routine pit stops, the crew worked great together and was able to give Rabenold the types of stops that he needed in order to gain track position. While driving the car like a veteran, Kory drafted down the front stretch and worked through the traffic, trying to navigate toward the front of the field.
After making a drive toward the front, Kory ran in the top fifteen for most of the afternoon and did a nice job avoiding the troubles that were occurring throughout the event.
That was until lap seventy-seven or so. Rabenold was racing for the 10th position with another competitor out of the tunnel turn. The other driver didn't seem to lift, which took the air off of Kory's rear spoiler. The end result was a spin and he slapped the wall, but the worst happened a split second later.
Another competitor who could not avoid the wreck then hit Kory hard in the driver's side door. He was helped out of the car and into an ambulance for a trip to the infield care center, where he was treated with fluids due to dehydration. He was also evaluated for pain in his legs.
Frustrated after a great day, Kory said, "I feel bad for my team after running so well throughout the race, but on the other hand I was running the car for what it had, and I could have easily finished in the top ten".
Even with the disappointing outcome and with an official finish of 25th, Kory and his Rabenold Racing team are very pleased with their performance.
PR Contacts
Ken "Buzzy" Rabenold
Buzzy's Autobody
610-767-2721 - 610-349-8387 C.
Jared Welter
Rabenold Racing
484-553-2048 C.
spotter63@verizon.net |
