8/9/2010
Sprint Source
Brandon Wimmer – Confidence Heading to the 50th!
(Bill W) August 9, 2010 – Brandon Wimmer drove the Alan Barton Motorsports #7TW for the first time in 2010 last Saturday night at the Knoxville Raceway. The preparation for the 50th Anniversary Knoxville Nationals went well, as the Fairmount, Indiana driver knew he had a fast racecar under him. He will qualify on Wednesday night.
Brandon’s confidence in the #7TW started as soon as the car hit the track for hot laps. “Overall, it was just a very good night,” he says. “We hadn’t run the car all year, and breaking it out of the shop like that was a confidence boost. To be honest, it surprised me a little bit.”
With a stout field of 39 cars gathered for the last 410 sprint race before the Knoxville Nationals, Brandon posted the 11th quick time of the night. “We had a good qualifying lap,” he says. “That’s what you aim for heading into the Nationals.”
Starting fourth in his heat, Brandon drove into second, and raced on the nerf bar of leader Tyler Walker the rest of the way. The two exchanged the lead at the halfway mark, but in the end, Brandon would settle for second. “We only made minor changes to the car heading into the heat,” he says. “We were able to get by Tyler Walker there for the lead, but I slipped up in two and he got back by us and take the bottom away. The heat went really well.”
The start in the 20-lap main event would come outside of row three. At the drop of the green, Brandon was moving forward. “It was just one of those nights that we didn’t have to make a lot of changes,” he says. “We were able to get up to fourth right away. After the red for (Tim) Kaeding and (Ian) Madsen (lap eight), it seemed our left rear shock was not working right.”
Unfortunately, the shock problem greatly affected the handling of the car. Still, he would fight to hold onto a top ten finish, and he would checker ninth. “The car just got tighter and tighter as the race went on,” says Brandon. “Overall, we were really happy, and it got us excited for Wednesday night, our qualifying night.”
Though the finish wasn’t up front, Brandon feels like he had a top five car at Knoxville. He hopes to crack the Nationals A main for the first time. “This is the best I’ve ever felt going into the Nationals,” he says. “As long as we can get a little luck with the draw and some other things, I think we’re in good shape.”
Alan Barton Motorsports and the #7TW are sponsored by K&N Filters, Hedman Headers, Becks Tree Farm and Gaerte Engines.
Team Mannatech
Brandon has realized that a driver not only needs good equipment on the racetrack, but needs to also be in the best physical shape to be a success. That's why Brandon has added a wellness program to his daily routine, which includes adding a line of scientifically validated nutritional products from Mannatech. Mannatech, Incorporation is a leading developer and provider of proprietary nutritional supplements, weight management products and skin care solutions. Athletes around the world rely on Mannatech products because they are formulated from high quality, natural plant sources and are formulated without any substances banned by major worldwide anti-doping agencies.
Brandon has been invited to serve on an elite team of athletes called Team Mannatech because of the results he has had with the products and will be working to share his experience with drivers, crews and fans. With more than 200 athletes representing countries around the globe, Team Mannatech members have been drawn from the exclusive ranks of sports legends, the everyday athlete and young enthusiasts destined to become superstars. They inspire action and attract passionate wellness champions and are all role models for their sport, committed to helping people of all ages lead a healthy, active lifestyle.
Submitted By: Bill Wright
