2018 Livonia 250 Pre-Race Thread

Everything is still somewhat far away, but I'll get everything going for race 1 here.

ENTRY LIST (PENDING TRANSACTIONS):
0: Jared Kash -- Valero Ford Fusion
01: Madison Vermette -- Holiday Inn Ford Fusion
02: Luke Kinsin -- Carquest Dodge Charger
03: Aaron Parker -- Little Trees Dodge Charger
06: Keith Davis -- Taco Bell Chevrolet SS
1: Alex Jates -- Buffalo Wild Wings Ford Fusion
2: Tommy Ritcher -- Ford Ford Fusion
3: Brian Hensler -- TBA Dodge Charger
4: Kyle Korbett -- TBA Dodge Charger
5: Zach McRae -- Ally Chevrolet SS
6: Seth McGuire -- Giant Tiger Dodge Charger
7: Jason Miller -- Chick fil A Chevrolet SS
9: Shawn Glossum -- T-Mobile Dodge Charger
10: Caine Dwyer -- Ally Chevrolet SS
12: Brad Kurtis -- Harris Teeter Chevrolet SS
15: Beau Phillips -- Cascades Buick Regal
18: Jordan Tipsun -- TGI Friday's Buick Regal
19: Ashton Short -- Budweiser Chevrolet SS
20: Tyler Deefer -- Bank of America Ford Fusion
22: Darcy Lusk -- Mobil 1 Chevrolet SS
23: Niklas Hyerski -- U-HAUL Toyota Camry
26: Jalen Scransen -- Dollar General Buick Regal
27: David Jugar -- Rite Aid Toyota Camry
31: James Rodin -- Toyota Toyota Camry
32: Keith Jesse -- Cookout Chevrolet SS
33: Jimmy Cohon -- Adidas Toyota Camry
34: Clyde Latinger -- Canadian Oil Sands Ford Fusion
36: Jonathon Ringer -- Target Dodge Charger
39: Mikael Carter -- AMP Energy Dodge Charger
40: Grant Jacobs -- Fidelity Ford Fusion
42: Herb Cilantro -- TBA Chevy SS
44: Ross Lowrey -- Blue Moon Toyota Camry
52: Jack Jefferson -- Delta Airlines Dodge Charger
53: Greg Knee -- Caterpillar Dodge Charger
54: Jerry Richson -- Kmart Dodge Charger
62: Guy Beugnet -- Friendly's Dodge Charger
66: Kent Grosso -- Pizza Hut Chevrolet SS
77: Barry Juveno -- Jack Daniels Toyota Camry
80: Ryan Barley -- Under Armour Ford Fusion
81: Kody Lachner -- Verizon Chevrolet SS
82: Patrick McKenzie -- Burger King Chevrolet SS
83: Nate Smith -- Wrigley Toyota Camry
84: Carson Crompton -- Mars Toyota Camry
85: Aaron Anderson -- Wrigley Toyota Camry
86: Ike Durbin -- 5 Gum Toyota Camry
87: Casey Lester -- Dunkin' Donuts Ford Fusion
88: Chad Lapinski -- Imperial Chevrolet SS
89: Aaron Gallagher -- Imperial Chevrolet SS
91: Jack Walter -- Netflix Chevrolet SS
92: Christopher Morrissette -- robinhood Chevrolet SS
93: Bjorn Brewer -- Rockstar Chevrolet SS
96: Steven Cortez -- McDonald's Chevrolet SS


Denotes Previous Winner
Locked Into Livonia 250

Qualifying
The two groups will run one session to determine who will not make the race (Top 22) and  then a combined one to determine starting order.

Qualifying Group A
P # DRIVER TIME
1 34 C Latinger 20.494
2 6 S McGuire 20.511
3 39 M Carter 20.521
4 42 H Cilantro 20.521
5 54 J Richson 20.538
6 2 T Ritcher 20.561
7 7 J Miller 20.561
8 96 S Cortez 20.566
9 88 C Lapinski 20.577
10 81 K Lachner 20.577
11 91 J Walter 20.579
12 18 J Tipsun 20.584
13 40 G Jacobs 20.615
14 5 Z McRae 20.620
15 84 C Crompton 20.623
16 77 B Juveno 20.624
17 87 C Lester 20.629
18 31 J Rodin 20.637
19 62 G Beugnet 20.642
20 0 J Kash 20.650
21 3 B Hensler 20.650
22 86 I Durbin 20.651
23 10 C Dwyer 20.674
24 92 C Morrissette 20.699
25 53 G Knee 20.731
26 03 A Parker 20.742

Qualifying Group B
1 9 S Glossum 20.912
2 20 T Deefer 20.926
3 22 D Lusk 20.933
4 01 M Vermette 20.957
5 26 J Scransen 20.967
6 85 A Anderson 20.968
7 19 A Short 20.978
8 36 J Ringer 21.001
9 80 R Barley 21.039
10 83 N Smith 21.044
11 52 J Jefferson 21.055
12 32 K Jesse 21.057
13 66 K Grosso 21.059
14 93 B Brewer 21.064
15 44 R Lowrey 21.069
16 4 K Korbett 21.075
17 06 K Davis 21.076
18 33 J Cohon 21.078
19 15 B Phillips 21.078
20 23 N Hyerski 21.084
21 89 A Gallagher 21.089
22 27 D Jugar 21.092
23 82 P McKenzie 21.096
24 1 A Jates 21.099
25 12 B Kurtis 21.106
26 02 L Kinsin 21.188

Livonia 250 Starting Grid:
1: 10 - Caine Dwyer 20.402
2: 6 - Seth McGuire 20.421
3: 83 - Nate Smith 20.442
4: 52 - Jack Jefferson 20.467
5: 20 - Tyler Deefer 20.480
6: 01 - Madison Vermette 20.558
7: 34 - Clyde Latinger 20.595
8: 2 - Tommy Ritcher 20.609
9: 22 - Darcy Lusk 20.614
10: 84 - Carson Crompton 20.736
11: 93 - Bjorn Brewer 20.747
12: 81 - Kody Lachner 20.756
13: 36 - Jonathon Ringer 20.364
14: 87 - Casey Lester 20.372
15: 88 - Chad Lapinski 20.373
16: 33 - Jimmy Cohon 20.373
17: 0 - Jared Kash 20.380
18: 32 - Keith Jesse 20.382
19: 54 - Jerry Richson 20.386
20: 31 - James Rodin 20.386
21: 40 - Grant Jacobs 20.387
22: 19 - Ashton Short 20.391
23: 18 - Jordan Tipsun 20.395
24: 39 - Mikael Carter 20.401
25: 9 - Shawn Glossum 20.408
26: 3 - Brian Hensler 20.413
27: 42 - Herb Cilantro 20.416
28: 7 - Jason Miller 20.417
29: 5 - Zach McRae 20.418
30: 85 - Aaron Anderson 20.423
31: 26 - Jalen Scransen 20.427
32: 91 - Jack Walter 20.429
33: 66 - Kent Grosso 20.435
34: 86 - Ike Durbin 20.440
35: 77 - Barry Juveno 20.441
36: 06 - Keith Davis 20.453
37: 96 - Steven Cortez 20.455
38: 4 - Kyle Korbett 20.462
39: 44 - Ross Lowrey 20.463
40: 62 - Guy Beugnet 20.493
41: 15 - Beau Phillips 20.518
42: 80 - Ryan Barley ENGINE

Did Not Qualify:
1 - Alex Jates
02 - Luke Kinsin
03 - Aaron Parker
12 - Brad Kurtis
23 - Niklas Hyerski
27 - David Jugar
53 - Greg Knee
82 - Patrick McKenzie
89 - Aaron Gallagher
92 - Christopher Morrissette










Previous Visits to Livonia Raceway:

Drivers excited to return to racing action

Among the many drivers in the field, the sentiment is positive, everyone is upbeat and very excited for a new chapter of AARO racing to begin. A youth movement has taken a large role into the resurgence of the league and veterans with experience are appreciative of the new era. Among those veterans is Tyler Deefer, winner of last year’s running of the 250.

“We’re always fast here, but fast might not cut it anymore with the way the young guys are these days. You see guys like Caine Dwyer who is just a rookie but he is so composed, so dialed in. Its weird to sit here and tell you that I am trying to learn from a rookie, but I am.”

Dwyer obviously is the next overhyped prospect to break into the AERS, and realized the pressure is something very real. It is something other too prospects have failed to tame, and we’ve seen some drivers flat out not run well and damage their early careers.

“I’ve faced the pressure my whole life, there really isn’t anything new. It’s just magnified because we’re at the biggest stage of the AARO and it’s season. All eyes are on this race and I’m confident in saying all eyes will be on us all week, we’re going to contend.” The youngster clearly wasn’t rattled by all of the media and all of the pressure on his race team. Scawles Racing has been overhauled over the offseason and is an early favorite to breakout. Caine Dwyer is expected to contend for the title as a rookie.

Meanwhile, Garth Enterprises rolls into Livonia with a completely revamped roster for the 2018 season. The team will have new faces in all four of its entries this weekend, something the team calls a fresh start. Kody Lachner had some insight as to what the team expects going into 2017, saying “we’re all just hungry. Chad and I know what it takes to compete here and I think we have what it takes to get it right. Other drivers can sit there and say their ready but some of these guys the media is glorifying haven’t got a clue what this racing will be like. Sorry, but Caine Dwyer and what he ate for breakfast this morning can take a rest, let’s talk about the 81 team. We’re going to make some noise, Florence [Garth] has very high expectations this weekend for all four of us and for the rest of the year. Watch out.” Lachner has had a bit of a change in his personality over the years, and has now grown into one of the more disliked drivers by fans within the garage for his antics and “whining” attitude. Clearly it doesn’t affect him.

A rainy week so far has seen APTS and MRT practices already cancelled, with more rain expected on the way. We can probably expect some struggling early in the week and in the race events, as the teams will be relatively empty in their assessments of the track conditions.

Added qualifying groups.

AERS Qualifying will begin shortly at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NVRei6UvqI8

Aiming for around 9:45!

I've added qualifying results to the OP, rookie sensation Caine Dwyer took the pole from rookie Seth McGuire at the last possible second and he will start 1st in the Livonia 250!

Dwyer wins AAA Pole for Livonia 250

"We struggled early in all three sessions, just couldn't get what we wanted. To rally like we did shows just what this team is capable of. I'm shocked to be in this position right now, I can't believe it! But we have so much work to do, like I've said, we're going to be contenders to win this thing right off the bat."

Jates distraught after Livonia DNQ

On the heels of two straight top 10 points finishes, Alex Jates was seen as a championship contender in his KGI #1 heading into the 2018 season. Jates not only ran very well last season, also has run very well at the Livonia Raceway. It seemed unthinkable that he’d miss the main event. Sure enough, Jates and his #1 team will pack up and leave instead of racing in the 250 after a very poor qualifying effort.

“You know what you can blame the system, the other drivers, the team, it all doesn’t matter. At the end of the day we didn’t do a good enough job and that falls on my shoulders. I can’t sit here and tell you how much this sport means to me and how I let myself and this team down. It’s an awful feeling.” Jates said, “Obviously missing a race hurts championship aspirations, and this is a huge blow for a team like ours looking to get a title. The only thing I can tell you is how much effort these guys put in. We were fast until qualifying.”

Jates will miss the 250 but will stay at the racetrack to help rookie teammate Madison Vermette and teammate Jared Kash in their pursuit of the 250 crown.

“One thing I can tell you is that Alex will rebound. He’s been a great mentor to me and the minute I signed at KGI he welcomed me and made me feel at home. Even got me a nice deal on a house in his neighborhood back at the shop. It hurts a little to see him not make it”, claimed Vermette. “But obviously for our team making the event was a huge lift off of our shoulders. Now that that’s over, we can kinda turn our attention toward a good result in the 250. I don’t expect to win, but man it’d be cool if we could!”

Drivers Prepared for Livonia 250

Many drivers in the field have waiting quite a long time to return to the Livonia Raceway for the 2018 season. While some familiar faces such as Alex Jates won't be running in the event, drivers like Tyler Deefer, Mikael Carter, and Jonathon Ringer are all very much ready to get the anticipated 2018 season underway.

"We've run very well here in the past and obviously this place holds a special spot in my heart, grabbing my first win here last season," said the gentle-speaking Deefer, "It's been a rough week with the weather, but I and all the guys are very ready to get this show on the road, as much as it's been hard on the fans, I can tell you it's been just as hard for us drivers waiting for this race."

Mikael Carter hasn't run well at Livonia really ever. Last year, he started up front but was taken out of contention early in the race and never could rebound. Talking with him during the pre-race rain delay, it's clear his intentions are strong after winning the 2015 title: Win the 250. "I've gotten people asking me what the point is in racing anymore now that we've got a title," he remarked, holding an AMP Energy umbrella standing with wife Venessa, "I don't really know what a logical answer to that is. I'm a racecar driver, I'm born to race, I want to win again and again and again. But you know what I'd really like to do, especially now? Win today and cross the 250 off my checklist." Carter, always appreciative of his god-given talent and support around him, said
"I've been fortunate enough to be surrounded by people with the best intentions for me, I'm always grateful, and I'd want nothing more than to bring home another trophy this weekend and another at the end of the year, I want to take advantage of everything I've been blessed with as long as I can."

Meanwhile, Carter's new teammate Jonathon Ringer has at times absolutely dominated the Livonia 250. Last year, his Opp. Inc. #0 Dodge was out front for a race leading 54 laps, and the year before, he also led the most laps with 74. It is a track he's figured out, he just needs to work on finishing. And with the alleged "cursed" #36 now being his new ride, the task just seems even harder. "Ha-ha, I don't know if that's really going to affect anything," he chuckled, "But either way, I've got to find a way to bring this thing home. The guys around me deserve it. I don't know how many times I've got the opportunity to close races out, they just don't happen."

Ringer, in his first season at JN Motorsports, also was very vocal about his displeasure with the way the AARO has handled the inclement weather this week. "We've been on the track, like, twice. The Aflac series [now ANS] has been out there 4 more times than us I think. I'm pretty sure we could push them back...we're the main entertainment here. I'm not going to come to the track to watch those guys, I'm going to be here for the big boys, us. It's a shame because those fans may not be able to see a decent enough race because all of our cars are driving like ass right now. It's tough to really know what the league does sometimes. We want to preserve our sport and showcase the top guys, nobody cares about the ANS."