Jake Engle’s Impressive Run at the Thanksgiving California Classic Cut Short by Blown Motor

Jake Engle showed once again why he is one of the most talked about young drivers in racing during the inaugural Thanksgiving California Classic held at the Toyota Speedway of Irwindale last November. Pitted against a number of cars touting engines with 100 more horsepower, the southern California native qualified tenth – a win in itself, considering eight of the cars ahead of him benefited from extra muscle. The mastermind behind Engle’s run was Crew Chief Fred Hernandez, who thought to battle muscle with superior handling.

“The team put on a clinic today,” said Hernandez. “It was the finest showcase of driving I’ve seen in a decade and I couldn’t be prouder.”

45 laps into the main event, Engle had moved from tenth to six and was poised to take the lead. Though the engines of the five cars ahead roared loudly, he chipped away with a heavy foot, stealthy technique, and steady lap times. But it wasn’t enough. Minutes later, the #51 AccessAgility Chevy Impala dropped a valve and began to puff smoke.

“Bill Maropulos built a great engine and we have the utmost confidence in him when it comes to both power and reliability,” said Engle after the race. “We simply had to run on the ragged edge of our RPM range to compete. It was our best strategy given the circumstances.”

“Up until that moment, the team was working in perfect unison, the car was humming, and we were making a run,” he added. “We’ll learn from this, build on it, and come back even stronger.”

“Jake’s restarts were flawless,” commented James Carpenter, Engle’s spotter. “On the second restart, he passed three cars down the front straight and maintained the low line in order to hold the pass. He has the unique ability to find those opportunities where he can move up in the field. Opportunities that most drivers can’t recognize.”

Carpenter continued, “People know Jake for his aggressiveness. His performance tonight will put him on the map as a strategist, too. I couldn’t ask for a better partner out there. He follows my direction to a “T,” adding some improvisation of his own.”

Next up for Jake Racing is a much-anticipated move to Mooresville, North Carolina, where Engle has a spot reserved in the Billy Hess Racing Garage.

November 27th, 2010  |  Posted in Media / Publicity