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After a winless streak that spanned over one year, Brent Marks is back to a place he’s used to: victory lane. Following a win at the conclusion of PA Speedweek, Marks has really hit his stride as he won on back to back nights on the final weekend of July, and then captured one of the premier events in Central PA this past weekend, The Living Legends Dream Race at Port Royal Speedway on Saturday night in the BAPS, Fredericksburg Eagle #19m Rider powered XXX.
Friday night July 25th at Williams Grove was where Marks really hit his stride. Coming off two great nights with the World of Outlaws the previous week, including a second place run at Williams Grove, Marks entered the evening with confidence in his race car. Starting sixth on the A Main, Marks rapidly raced forward to take the lead from Kyle Reinhardt on lap 16 in heavy lapped traffic. From there, Marks would keep the field at distance as he rolled to his first Williams Grove win of the year and second on the season. The Myerstown, PA native would set his sights on Port Royal on Saturday night July 26th and just like Friday night, he found lots of car speed. A better starting spot for the main put Brent into the lead on the opening lap, and he set a brisk pace for the feature. As the race got long, Rick Lafferty found the lower groove and with just three laps remaining, showed his nose to Brent coming out of turn two. Marks quickly adjusted his line, taking to the bottom of the speedway and effectively ending Lafferty’s challenge. When the checkered flag came out, it was Brent crossing in first by half a second, securing his second straight win and third on the year.
After wet weather washed away Williams Grove on Friday 8/1, Marks returned to Port Royal for the Living Legends Dream Race and a chance at over $10,000 in prize money. After finishing third in his qualifying race, Marks made the “revenge” draw that set the front of the field for the 35 lap A Main. Brent was given the inside second row starting position for the A Main and quickly moved up to second by the opening lap and by lap four had taken the lead with a high speed pass in the high groove coming out of turn two. Marks would see veteran drivers Dave Blaney and Greg Hodnett close on him a little in traffic, but once clear, he stretched out to big leads, winning the race by 2.3 seconds and setting a new track record for a 35 lap event as well. The race, which went wire to wire with no stoppages, paid $10,000 to win. Marks collected $620 in laps led money and $700 for his finish in the qualifier, pushing his final bounty on the night to $11,320.
Marks is excited to have momentum on his side as he and the team are going to the Sprint Car Capital of the World this week. “It’s really nice to be heading to Knoxville having won our last 3 races in a row. We got exactly the track we wanted at Port – slicked up through the middle, so it wasn’t a horsepower contest. The car was perfect, as I could pedal it into the slick on entry then drive the car hard off the cushion on exit to pass slower cars,” said Brent. The team will depart for the Knoxville Nationals on Tuesday where Brent will qualify Thursday. “We’ve struggled this year with taking on a lot of new challenges, racing against great competition in unfamiliar places, and it’s really nice to be going back to Knoxville with a package that I’m confident in. Brandon, Jesse and Fud have worked really hard on the car, and now with previous experience at Knoxville, we know what to expect when we roll in. The changes we’ve made over the past month have really made the car come alive, and with the confidence we have in our program, I’m expecting great things from Knoxville this year.”
Brent Marks Racing is sponsored by BAPS, Fredericksburg Eagle Hotel, Creekside Auto Sales and KC Automotive amongst their many supporters. Brent would like to thank his wife, parents and hardworking crew for all their support in 2014. Brent Marks racing utilizes XXX Chassis, Rider Racing Engines and Penske Shocks. Follow Brent on twitter @BrentMarks and online at www.brentmarksracing.com.
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