Justin Peck has gotten himself back in the hunt for the Pennsylvania Sprint Speedweek title. (Dan Demarco Photo)
Justin Peck has been lights out so far this season. (Dan Demarco Photo)
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NOTES: Peck Gets Back In The PA Speedweek Hunt

June 29, 2021

ABBOTTSTOWN, Pa. – After wiring the field Monday night at Lincoln Speedway, Justin Peck guzzled a beer and jubilantly flung the almost-empty can across the track’s victory lane.

The 22-year-old had just reentered the Pennsylvania Sprint Car Speedweek championship picture, cutting his 204-point deficit to just 100 through race four of the 10-race series.

PA Speedweek points leader Brent Marks went into the evening with a 101-point lead over Freddie Rahmer and it appeared that would hold steady as the night reached its final stages. But then a flat tire forced Marks to surrender eighth with seven laps to go.

That resulted in 16th for the series points leader that had won the previous two races, opening the door for Peck to double down: cash in on a pristine points night while Marks fell to unfortunate circumstances. 

It’s Peck’s second win over the past six races and an opportune way to regain some relevance. The All Star Circuit of Champions contender had a quiet start to PA Speedweek, finishing 12th, ninth, and 19th in three races prior to Monday.

“It just kind of worked out,” Peck said of his Monday win and reentering the PA Speedweek points race. “This is our 50th [or so] race of the year, and it’s been kind of a build up.”

It’s been a grind for Peck, who is partaking in a full PA Speedweek off the heels of a full Ohio Speedweek.

On Sunday Peck just wanted to go back to his trailer and find some rest in the celebration, perhaps consume another victory brew or two, but the conversations in victory lane kept flowing.

Once the interviews were done, one of his friends had phoned in via FaceTimed to breakdown the night and how Peck had to evade challenges down the stretch, particularly the number of restarts with Robbie Kendall and Kyle Larson in hot pursuit.

“When that caution came out, I was like, oh no!” his friend told Peck, perhaps alluding to cautions with either 12, seven, or four laps to go.

“Fortunately it all worked out,” Peck responded.

– Danny Dietrich rebounded from Sunday’s non-factor, 13th-place result at BAPS Motor Speedway, pulling to 52 points behind PA Speedweek series leader Brent Marks after entering the night 113 points off the pace.

The driver of the No. 48 Gary Kauffman Racing machine finished second in his heat and placed fourth in the 30-lap main event.

– Christopher Bell made his first dirt appearance since the Chili Bowl Nationals in January, driving the Swindell SpeedLab No. 39.

The NASCAR Cup Series driver for Joe Gibbs Racing turned in a good evening, winning his heat and finishing fifth.

 

– Kyle Larson joined Bell, his NASCAR counterpart, in adding some flare to the PA Speedweek field Monday at Lincoln Speedway.

The Cup Series wins leader came .109 seconds shy of winning his heat and, ultimately, the redraw, as Buddy Kofoid nipped Larson at the line. In the feature, Larson hustled his way to third from ninth.

 

– Maryland native Robbie Kendall put forth another good showing Monday in the Pigeon Hills.

Kendall qualified second in a stacked time trial group that featured Anthony Macri, Brent Marks, Buddy Kofoid, Christopher Bell, Danny Dietrich, Freddie Rahmer, and Kyle Larson. He rode that speed all the way to a runner-up effort.

– Rico Abreu finished 13th in Monday’s feature and is now 91 points behind Brent Marks in the PA Speedweek championship race.

Unofficial Pennsylvania Sprint Car Speedweek points through four of 10 races, *expected full-week drivers only*

1. No. 19M Brent Marks 545 points
2. No. 48 Danny Dietrich -52
3. No. 24 Rico Abreu -91
4. No. 13 Justin Peck -100
5. No. 5 Paul McMahan -134
6. No. 51 Freddie Rahmer -138
7. No. 15H Sam Hafertepe -153
8. No. 6 Ryan Smith -172
9. No. 39M Anthony Macri -201
10. No. 5W Lucas Wolfe -209
11. No. 24 TJ Stutts -246
12. No. 27 Devon Borden -350
13. No. 99M Kyle Moody -470
14. No. 67 Justin Whittall -471