Pursley Brings Battle to PA Posse at Tuscarora 50

Daison Pursley and the NAPA Auto Parts No. 9 team made the 2,800-mile trek across the country from Skagit Speedway in Washington to Port Royal Speedway in Pennsylvania for the Tuscarora 50, a three-day showdown between the High Limit High Rollers and the PA Posse with more than 50 teams and competitors in all. Pursley performed impressively in the stacked field, earning two Dash appearances and the Hard Charger Award on the final night.

On Thursday, September 10, Pursley opened the event with the fastest lap in Hot Laps Group B at 15.635 before qualifying fastest overall in Group B with a 15.595. That lined the NAPA No. 9 up fourth to start in Heat 3. During the heat race, Pursley advanced to third on the first lap and held the spot to earn himself a spot in the evening’s Dash. The NAPA machine started from P5, and Pursley kept it in that position while gaining some useful track time. During Thursday’s Feature event, Pursley battled to defend his fifth-place starting position but slipped further back into the pack with every lap. He ultimately brought the NAPA No. 9 home in 16th.

On Friday, Pursley opened the night fourth-quick, 15.923 during Hot Laps, and laid down the fourth-fastest lap in Qualifying B with a time of 16.197, setting the stage for the pole position of Heat 1. Pursley lost the front-row view during the opening lap, falling back to P2. He held that runner-up position when the checkered flag dropped on eight-lap battle, earning another Dash appearance. The NAPA no. 9 started on the pole for the seven-lap Dash. Pursley defended it, securing the pole position for the night’s A-Main Feature. During the 25-lap event, Pursley slipped back but battled to keep a podium spot. He ultimately dropped to fourth on the last two laps, narrowly missing a podium result.

Saturday marked the final night of the Tusky 50, and the NAPA team looked to build on their successes so far. Pursley recorded a 15.471 in Hot Laps, the fastest in Flight B, before qualifying second with an 15.483. That lined him up for in fourth to start Heat 5 of the night. Pursley slipped back to fifth during his Heat and would have to make his way to the A Feature by way of the B Feature. Racing the weather and a tough B Feature lineup, Pursley lost two spots, from P2 to P4, but it was enough to lock himself into A Feature action. The NAPA No. 9 started 22nd for the 50-lap Tuscarora 50 and battled at the back of the pack for the first 17 laps. Pursley advanced to 14th ahead of the open red at the halfway point, which gave the NAPA team an opportunity to dial in the race car for the second half. With momentum and the right adjustments, Pursley charged through the field to P8, where he finished the 50-lap event. The gain of 14 positions earned the NAPA driver the Hard Charger Award for the night.

Next for Pursley and the NAPA team, the High Limit Racing series heads to Lucas Oil Speedway’s “Diamond of Dirt Tracks” in Wheatland, MO, for a three-day event on September 17-19.

Start / Finish:
Thursday, September 10: 5 / 16
Friday, September 11: 1 / 4
Saturday, September 12: 22 / 8
Points Standing / Total: 10th / 2,070 pts. (-555)

Next Race: Thursday, September 17, Lucas Oil Speedway, Wheatland, Missouri
How to Watch or Listen: Floracing.com

NAPA: @NAPARacing
Daison Pursley: @DaisonPursley
Kasey Kahne Racing: @KKRdirt