HICKORY, N.C. — The ASA STARS National Tour season hasn’t started the way Rette Jones Racing or former series winner Kyle Steckly envisioned.
Instead, it’s been a mix of frustration and flashes of promise. But with a doubleheader weekend ahead at Hickory (N.C.) Motor Speedway and Newport (Tenn.) Raceway, the Mooresville, N.C.-based team, is focused on reversing course and getting back in contention.
“We definitely haven’t had the start to the season we were hoping for,” said Steckly. “It’s been frustrating at times, but we’ve also seen glimpses of what this team is capable of.
“We’re heading into Hickory and Newport with a clean slate mentality. These back-to-back races give us a real chance to build momentum, execute, and show what Rette Jones Racing is made of.”
To help steer the team back into contention, Rette Jones Racing has utilized the recent downtime to compete in other late model events while also committing to full days of testing, in search of the consistency and comfort that could help propel Steckly back to victory lane.
“We’ve been using every bit of the break to regroup and refocus,” Steckly added. “Whether it’s racing other late model shows or putting in full test days, we’re doing everything we can to find the feel and speed we need.
“It’s all about getting back to that level where we’re confident every time we unload — and I really believe we’re getting close.”
Two races in two days can challenge the fundamentals of any race team, but for Rette Jones Racing, the quick turnaround could be just what they need to climb the championship standings — and give Steckly a prime opportunity to capture his second career ASA STARS National Tour victory.
“We had a fast car at Hickory last year before a mechanical failure took us out,” recalled Steckly. “We’ve already had enough misfortune this season to last the rest of the year, but I’m hopeful we can take what we learned and execute cleanly on Thursday night.
“From there, it’s a quick reset as we head to Newport — a brand-new track for the Rette Jones Racing team. A new venue levels the playing field for most of the field, and I’m optimistic that could work in our favor.”
While winning remains the ultimate goal, the Rette Jones Racing team would welcome two solid performances if a trip to victory lane isn’t in the cards.
Currently sitting 13th in the championship standings after three races — and trailing the points leader by over 100 markers — the team is determined to chip away at the deficit. And there’s no better way to do that than by stacking up strong finishes.
“We’re not where we want to be in the standings, and we know that,” said Steckly. “But there’s still a lot of racing left, and this weekend gives us a real chance to start turning things around.
“If we can put together two strong runs — stay out of trouble and finish well — we’ll start closing that gap. That’s the mindset right now: be smart, be consistent, and let the results take care of themselves.”
Watch both races live on TrackTv.com.
