Prairie State teenager making first ever appearance at the legendary high-banks
Batavia, Illinois (Wednesday, September 2, 2015): When 15-year-old Austin Kunert made the big jump from Legends cars to full-bodied stock cars, he knew it would be a challenge to say the least in adapting to the bigger, faster machines. The Batavia, Illinois teenager is a contender for the Howie Lettow Memorial Rookie of the Year title in the JEGS/CRA All-Stars Tour Presented by Chevrolet Performance driving the #29 Blue Demon Welding Supplies / Ford for veteran Midwestern team, Lorz Motorsports.
So far in seven JEGS/CRA All-Stars Tour events, the Prairie State competitor has collected one top 10 finish, a 10th place effort at Columbus Motor Speedway (OH) back on May 23rd. Five of the seven races have resulted in at least a top 15 finish as he sits second in the Howie Lettow Memorial Rookie of the Year title chase while also sitting an impressive fifth overall in the season long points battle. While Kunert is locked in a battle for positions fifth through seventh, which are separated by only eight markers, Kunert has grown by leaps and bounds in his rookie campaign in a full-bodied stock car.
The next race on the 2015 schedule will be the toughest challenge yet for the youngster as the famed 1/2 (0.500) mile high-banked paved oval of Winchester Speedway (IN), located east of Muncie and west of the Indiana / Ohio state line in Winchester, Indiana will host the Winchester 100 Presented by JEGS.com. With the rainout the previous week at Owosso Speedway, the first of two races at Winchester on Sunday, September 6th will be the eighth race of the 2015 campaign. Kunert feels he is up to the challenge in what has been a learning experience for the rookie driver.
“I look forward to racing at Winchester. It’s a bigger faster track that looks like a lot of fun & will be a great learning experience.” Stated Kunert as he, his family and his Lorz Motorsports Team prepare for the trip to the legendary high-banks. “It’s been a fun experience racing in the JEGS/CRA All-Stars Tour. We’ve experienced a few ups and downs from our best run at Columbus to running in the top five at Anderson Speedway before a late race caution took us out. I’m looking forward to getting good finishes in the remaining races and finishing the year strong.” He added.
Kunert is aided by the relationship with his team, the veteran crew of Lorz Motorsports led by Car Owner, Mike Lorz and Crew Chief, Dan Lorz. “I have a very strong relationship with Lorz Motorsports, It’s only my first season in a Late Model and they have given me a lot of pointers and taught me a lot about the car.”Continued Kunert. “We have been working on better communication between all of us as well as adjustments at the track. I’ve learned a lot this season and the guys have been great to work with.” He ended.
In 2014, Kunert became the youngest driver in Hawkeye Downs Speedway’s 87-year history to win a Track title when he was crowned the Legends Division Champion at the Cedar Rapids, Iowa speed plant. Kunert was also crowned the 2014 Illinois State Champion in Legends cars, which was his second such title in a row. Also in 2013 and in addition to his Illinois State crown, he also snagged the Rookie of the Year titles in the Legends cars at both Hawkeye Downs as well as Madison International Speedway (WI).
Prior to his move up to Legends cars, it was during the 2012 season where Kunert earned the Central States Region (CSR) Championship as well as the STARS Series / Grundy County Speedway (IL) titles while running a Mini Cup car. The year before in 2011, he won the freshman title in CSR. A two-time Indoors Racing Champion within Chicago Indoor Racing in the Go-Karts division, he was also the 2010 Champion at Grundy County as well as Jules Raceway in the Turquoise Plate Champ Karts.
For the rest of the 2015 racing season within the JEGS/CRA All-Stars Tour, Kunert’s black and blue #29 Lorz Motorsports / Ford Fusion will carry sponsorship decals and sticks from Blue Demon Welding Supplies as well as Kings Express, You-Fill-It, Custom Companies, X-Treme Graphics, Prince Industries, Lechler Incorporated, True Power Racing Oil and M.P.H. Promotions.
For more information about Austin Kunert, Austin Kunert Racing and Lorz Motorsports, go to the following links. For Lorz Motorsports, log in at: www.lorzmotorsports.com. On Facebook go to: www.facebook.com and search for “Lorz Motorsports and for “Austin Kunert Racing. On Twitter, both can be followed at: www.twitter.com/Lorz_Racing and www.twitter.com/theaustinkunert Finally on Instagram, go to: www.instagram.com/austinkunert29
