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PIT BOX: K&N Pro Series East Action Returns in Memphis

www.arcaracing.com May 27, 2019

Marc Cohn may have been “walking in Memphis,” but this weekend the K&N Pro Series East will be racing in the Birthplace of Rock and Roll.

After about one month off, the series makes the trip to Memphis International Raceway for the third straight season, one of the bigger tracks drivers will race on in 2019 and one that holds a special place in many hearts throughout the NASCAR garage.

MEMPHIS 150 PRESENTED BY AUTOZONE AT MEMPHIS INTERNATIONAL RACEWAY

WHAT TO WATCH FOR:

Derek Kraus rolls into Memphis hotter than anybody in the K&N Pro Series. Fresh off a weekend sweep in Tucson to take the K&N Pro Series West championship lead with his third and fourth wins of the season, he’s looking to go back-to-back in K&N Pro East, as he won the second twin 100 at South Boston Speedway.

Mir Kandn Autozone150 Logo V2Kraus and the No. 16 Bill McAnally Racing team have yet to declare they’re running the full K&N East season, but all signs should point to yes if a good run at Memphis materializes.

Joining Kraus with BMR this weekend is his old teammate and current Gander Outdoors Truck Series regular Todd Gilliland. The two-time K&N Pro Series West champion will make his first series start of 2019 in BMR’s No. 19 entry. Sunoco Rookie of the Year contender Brittney Zamora will also be at Memphis, completing the trio for the Toyota team.

Not far behind Kraus is 15-year-old Sam Mayer. The Bristol winner for GMS Racing will be making his first career start at Memphis (along with over eight other drivers). Following a disappointing but quick weekend in South Boston, Mayer is looking to regain the championship lead from Kraus.

Tanner Gray put his No. 15 DGR-Crosley Toyota in Victory Lane for the first time in Twin No. 1 at SoBo, and nearly did it again in Tucson, finishing second twice. Gray, a rookie, sits fourth in the standings. Ty Gibbs (finished second in his series debut at New Smyrna) will be back in the seat as well for DGR.

RELATED: Ty Gibbs Returning For Second K&N Start With DGR at Memphis

After leading 53 laps last season from the pole, Spencer Davis has high hopes entering Tennessee. Searching for his first win since 2016, him and Rette Jones Racing have gelled well in their first few races together.

RELATED: Spencer Davis Having Quietly Impressive Start With New Team

Oh, and who could forget the Rev Racing duo of Ruben Garcia Jr. and Chase Cabre? Garcia won this race one year ago for his first career victory, and is coming off a fourth-place run in the last PEAK Mexico Series event.

Cabre tied his career-best result of second at South Boston, marking the second time in 2019 the Tampa, Florida native has finished runner-up. In both Cabre’s trips to MIR, he hasn’t finished outside the top five.

Max McLaughlin leads the drivers who will be seeing Memphis for the first time in a stock car this weekend. The Hattori Racing Enterprises driver is sixth in the championship standings and has shown speed as of late. Colin Garrett will be returning and looking to improve upon an eighth-place run from last year.

Parker Retzlaff will make his series debut for Visconti Motorsports in the first of what the organization hopes is many races for not only this season, but the future in the No. 74.

RELATED: Parker Retzlaff To Make Series Debut at Memphis for Visconti Motorsports

RACE FACTS

RACE MEMPHIS 150 PRESENTED BY AUTOZONE
PLACE Memphis (Tennessee) International Raceway
DATE Saturday, June 1, 2019
TIME 6 p.m. CDT
TELEVISION FansChoice.TV (live), 6 p.m. CDT; NBCSN — Wednesday, June 5, 6 p.m. EDT
TRACK LAYOUT 0.75-mile paved oval
2018 WINNER Ruben Garcia Jr.
2018 POLE Tyler Ankrum
EVENT SCHEDULE Garage opens: 10 a.m. CDT; Final practice: 12:45-2:15 p.m.; Group qualifying: 4:15 p.m.; Driver autograph session: 5 p.m.; Driver introductions: 5:40 p.m.; Memphis 150 Presented by AutoZone: 6 p.m.
TWITTER @RaceMIR
HASHTAG #Memphis150, #KNEAST

RACE CENTER | ENTRY LIST

CREW CHIEF HANDOUT: The starting field for the Memphis 150 race is limited to 24 starters, including provisional positions. The first 20 drivers will secure starting positions based on group qualifying for the Memphis 150. The remaining four spots will be awarded through the provisional process.

The number of groups for qualifying will be determined by NASCAR. Each group qualifying session will be five (5) minutes in duration and the fastest single lap speed of each vehicle will determine starting positions 1st through 20th. Adjustments or repairs may not be made on a vehicle after the vehicle enters the track to begin the qualifying session. Vehicles may not return to the track or make any further qualifying laps unless directed to do so by a NASCAR Official or in the event of a caution. If a vehicle returns to pit road, the vehicle‘s qualifying attempt is complete. Once a vehicle‘s qualifying attempt is complete the vehicle must proceed directly to the designated impound area once it enters pit road. In the event of a caution, all vehicles must exit the track. Vehicles that elect to continue must proceed directly to the re-entry area of pit road and stop to the outside of pit road. No adjustments or repairs may be made to any vehicle on pit road or in the re-entry area during a caution except the removal of tape on the grille opening only, once removed the reinstallation of tape will not be permitted.

Vehicles will be impounded after qualifying. Vehicles must qualify on race set up. Only minor adjustments will be permitted following qualifying (i.e. air pressure checked, tape removed). NASCAR Officials must oversee and authorize any and all work being done during this time period

The Memphis 150 will be 150 laps (112.5 miles) and is to be run in three (3) segments with scheduled breaks at or around the conclusion of laps 50 and 100.

The maximum tire allotment available for this event is as follows: Four (4) tires for practice, four (4) tires for qualifying and to begin the race and four (4) additional tires for use during the break for a total of twelve (12) tires.

A team representative must designate qualifying and race tries to NASCAR Officials at the designated time. One (1) set of tires from the Memphis International Raceway open test may be transferred for use in practice sessions only, as long as the tires were purchased at Memphis International Raceway and are registered with the NASCAR Officials prior to the beginning of the practice session(s). Tires must be proper code and registered with NASCAR Officials prior to the beginning of the practice sessions.

MEDIA CENTER:

DAILY MEMPHIAN: K&N Pro Series East returns to Memphis International Raceway in June

MOTORSPORT.COM: NASCAR Diversity Awards recognize champions of program

WREG.com: NASCAR returns to the Bluff City for Memphis 150

NASCAR.com — K&N West: Kevin Bellicourt Balancing Roles at BMR | Matt Levin Gives Back to Fans in Career-Night at Home Track

NASCAR.com — K&N East: Mason Diaz To Forgo Full 2019 K&N East Slate Following South Boston Crash | Max McLaughlin Back on Track After Back-to-Back Podium Finishes

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