Story By: TYLER ALTMEYER / DANNY DIETRICH RACING – GETTYSBURG, PA – It was a long and drawn-out two weeks for Danny Dietrich and Gary Kauffman Racing.
But despite the early tangle with Mother Nature that cost Dietrich four starts with the All Star Circuit of Champions, and a trio of frustrating DIRTcar Nationals outings with the World Outlaws Sprint Car Series at Volusia Speedway Park, “Double-D” did find some light, highlighting his southern swing with an 11th-place finish against the All Stars at East Bay Raceway Park on Monday, February 14.
Dietrich, driver of Gary Kauffman’s Weikert’s Livestock, Sandoe’s Fruit Market, Pace Performance, Big Cove Whitetail Trophy Hunts, Drop Of Ink Tattoo, Sweeney Chevrolet Buick GMC, Self Made Racing, No. 48 sprint car, was actually battling well within the top-ten before settling for one spot out, shuffled back after losing momentum following a wild single-file restart. The Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, native started seventh on the feature grid, securing his place after earning the fastest time in his respective qualifying group, then finishing third in his heat race.
The 2021 Pennsylvania Sprint Speedweek champion was actually on pace to score a similar result on Tuesday, but spark plug issues during the evening’s A-Main forced Dietrich to retire. “Double-D” kicked-off the evening with the fastest qualifying time overall.
“There were some shining moments amongst the chaos, but I don’t think that was the trip we were working toward. A lot of distractions early on especially with the weather, but you’ll have that. It was good to get there and shake things down,” Dietrich said. “Can’t thank my team enough for their efforts on this trip. It’s tough to have to sit around with no racing, but once the weather improved and we got going, they worked hard and never gave up. A big thanks to Gary Kauffman for allowing us to make the trip. We’re going to regroup this week and get ourselves ready for the Icebreaker on Saturday.”
ON DECK:
Danny Dietrich and Gary Kauffman Racing will continue their 2022 campaign with Lincoln Speedway’s annual season-opening Icebreaker on Saturday, February 26. Pennsylvania’s first 410 sprint car event of the season, the Saturday afternoon blockbuster will feature the Posse’s finest and will award $5,000. Dietrich was the 2020 Icebreaker champion.