Pursley, NAPA No. 9 Team Find New Opportunities at New Tracks

Daison Pursley moved back into the top 10 in High Limit Racing championship points after a busy week of racing that included two tracks new to the NAPA Auto Parts No. 9 team. Friday’s show at a third new track on the schedule, I-94 Speedway in Fergus Falls, Minnesota, was rained out.

On Wednesday, June 3, Pursley was among 32 entries at Red Cedar Speedway in Wisconsin. The NAPA driver posted a 13.274-second lap for eighth in Hot Laps and matched the result in qualifying to start third in Heat 4. During the eight-lap battle, Pursley slipped to sixth, narrowly missing the Feature event; the silver lining was more time on track to help dial in the No. 9. Pursley won the B Feature from second, lining him up to start the 30-lap A Main in 21st. Pursley fought to move forward but was unable to tame the 3/8-mile clay track and finished 21st.

Thursday introduced Pursley and the NAPA team to Gondik Law Speedway in Superior, Wisc., where improvements were necessary after posting a 14.139-second lap in Hot Laps for 17th among 29 competitors. The team adjusted, and Pursley ran a 13.516-second pass for ninth overall in qualifying, placing the NAPA machine on the front row in Heat 3. With new territory comes new opportunity, and Pursley made all the right moves on the high-banked, 4/10-mile surface to lead the field on the first lap and earn his second heat win of the season. The NAPA driver then held the pole position through the Dash, putting him on the pole for the evening’s feature. Second-place starter Kyle Larson took the lead from Pursley on the first lap and didn’t look back. The NAPA No. 9 battled to keep a podium position for the first 10 laps but was quickly losing ground. By lap 17, Pursley was on the outside of the top 10 looking in but didn’t settle. He challenged his way back in and was eighth when the checkered flag waved on the intense, 30-lap event.

On Saturday, June 6, Dacotah Speedway in Mandan, N. Dak., presented another new track full of unknowns and opportunities. Pursley recorded a time of 14.434 seconds in his first laps around the high-banked, 3/8-mile clay oval for 15th overall in Hot Laps. He took those practice laps seriously, going on to run third-quickest in qualifying. That put the NAPA machine fourth to start Heat 3, and Pursley locked in for back-to-back Dash appearances. The results of the Dash placed the NAPA No. 9 in third to start the 30-lap Feature. Pursley remained on the second row for the first half of the duel but slipped to fifth and, battling with competitor Giovanni Scelzi, quickly slid to eighth. When the checkered flag dropped, Pursley brought the NAPA No. 9 home in the eighth position. The top-10 finish moved him back into the top 10 in championship points.

High Limit Racing series is back on Tuesday night, June 9, for the fourth-annual Eagle Nationals near Lincoln, Nebraska, with a $50,000-prize on the line. The event, which offers first responders (with valid ID) $10 off their ticket, will be available to stream on the FloRacing app.

Start / Finish: 
June 3, Red Cedar Speedway: 21 / 21
June 4, Gondik Law Speedway: 1 / 8
June 6, Dacotah Speedway: 3 / 8
Points Standing / Total: 10th / 939 pts. (-323)

Next Race: Tuesday, June 9, Eagle Raceway, Eagle, Neb.
How to Watch or Listen: Floracing.com

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