PETERSEN MEDIA: With only a handful of 410ci starts under his belt and no big track experience, Tanner Carrick took part in his first Knoxville Nationals in Knoxville, IA last week and in the scheme of things calls his first attempt a success.
“Going back to Knoxville we didn’t have a ton of expectations,” Tanner Carrick said. “We knew it was going to be a different animal, but it was something I wanted to do so I can improve as a driver, and I really feel like I learned a lot, and to get in the ‘C’ in our first trip was a positive as well.”
After taking part in the 360ci Nationals, Carrick bolted the 410ci power plant in and prepared to take part in the biggest race in the world. Hitting the track on Wednesday night for his qualifying attempt, the Lincoln, CA driver would time the CVC/Cemex/Interstate Oil backed machine in 11th fastest in qualifying time trials amongst the 49 cars checked into race on this night.
Finishing ninth in his heat race, Carrick would move into the ‘C’ Main. Racing to a win in the ‘C’, Carrick kept his night moving as he would transfer into the Last Chance Qualifier. Against a very loaded field, Carrick would continue to gain speed at the famed track as he raced to a 17th place finish.
Back in action on Friday night for Hard Knocks Night at the Nationals, Carrick would get another crack at the ‘Mecca of Mud’ as he would get things underway by timing in 13th fastest in his qualifying flight.
Finishing eighth in his heat race on this night, Carrick would head to one of the twin semi’s that were in play on Friday night as he searched for a transfer into the feature event.
While he came up short, Carrick again continued to turn in some impressive laps as he continued to learn at the half mile as he would cap his night off with a seventh place finish in the semi.
Based on his finish, the Lincoln, CA product would be locked into the Saturday night ‘C’ Main event.
Lining up 18th in the ‘C’, Carrick would race hard as he picked up a handful of positions over the course of the 15 lap race. When the checkered flag was displayed, Carrick capped his first Nationals off with a 14th place finish in the ‘C’.
“I really just need more laps around Knoxville,” Carrick said. “We had good speed every time we hit the track, and with each race I got more comfortable with the different lines the track offers. It was a great experience, and I am super thankful for the opportunity to get back there and race against the best.”
Tanner Carrick would like to thank CVC, Cemex, Interstate Oil, Conti, Harris and Sloan, Emerald, Timberworks Construction, Kaeding Performance, and Arai for their continued support.
BY THE NUMBERS: Starts: 44, Wins: 6, Top 5’s: 21, Top 10’s: 29
ON TAP: Carrick is now back in his native California where he is tentatively scheduled to run Silver Dollar Speedway on Friday night, and Ocean Speedway on Saturday.
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