RPW Column: Solid Runs As Of Late Has Jimmy Phelps & HBR Firing On All Cylinders Right Now

Column By: BOBBY CHALMERS / RPW – WEST LEBANON, NY – Jimmy Phelps just keeps rolling.

Friday night, he took home the DIRTcar Big Block Modified win at Brewerton Speedway. Sunday night, he was at home base, the Weedsport Speedway, for the Super DIRTcar Series Heroes Remembered 100 and made a last-lap pass on Matt Sheppard to grab the runner-up spot.

Monday night at Lebanon Valley Speedway’s King of Spring 100, the Baldwinsville, NY driver put in another solid effort with his HBR #98H machine, driving from 17th starting spot to take home his second top 5 of the 2023 tour and third top 10 in as many starts.

To say Phelps is excited for how his HBR team has been performing as of late would be a grave misrepresentation of his mood.

“Our runs, as of late have, been a huge shot in the arm for myself and this team,” Phelps said. “This was a very strong weekend for us. We had a good points night at Brewerton and a couple solid races on the series. We are very happy.”

Phelps’ Bicknell ran well throughout the 100-lap affair around the Valley’s 5/8-mile track, but it was how good he was late in the going that proved to be a major positive.

“It was tough sledding the entire race,” he said. “However, when the car came in, it started to take off. It really came on in the weaning laps of the feature and we were pretty good.”

One car Phelps had his hands full with as the race went on was young Alex Yankowski. The two waged war back and forth for several laps before Phelps eventually got around the #84Y machine.

Yankowski drove to a fine seventh place finish, and Phelps enjoyed racing with the youngster.

“Alex was definitely making it tough to pass him,” he said. “When I finally cleared him, he threw a slider on me the next corner. Fortunately, he missed the nose of my car and I was able to cross over and get the spot back.”

Throwing sliders such in the style Yankowski utilized on Monday night is something new for the Lebanon Valley Speedway. Since track officials changed the layout of the speedway, adding a flatter low groove to the corner, the possibility of slide jobs is even more prevalent.

Did Phelps see any difference in the track?

“Honestly, I thought it was exactly the same, configuration-wise,” he said. “However, the dirt seemed to be a bit more fun to race on. The track was smooth and with a little more lighting, it would be much better.”
Was dust an issue on this night?

“On the restarts it was,” he said. “Once things got rolling, after a few laps, it seemed to get better.”

Phelps and the HBR #98H team will look to keep this momentum rolling when they visit Brewerton Speedway on Friday and then the Land of Legends Raceway on Saturday.