ORTIZ SCORES CAREER BEST FINISH OF SECOND AT VIR
CONCORD, N.C. (August 26, 2013) – Bryan Ortiz (@BryanORacing) went into the race weekend at Virginia International Raceway (VIR) with confidence unmatched at any track he’s raced at in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series (NKNPS) East. The driver from Puerto Rico has experience racing at VIR in the Grand-AM series, and was looking forward to the first NKNPS East race at a road course since 2010. Ortiz ran near the front of the field all day, and relied on his road course background to bring his No. 4 Rev Racing Toyota Camry to a second place finish.
It was a tough day for the other three Rev Racing drivers. Daniel Suarez (@DnlSuarez) took the lead on lap 10 and battled up front the rest of the race before engine failure ended his night early on lap 50. Ryan Gifford (@RyanGifford2) raced his way up front after qualifying 12th, he ran in the top-five and even led a lap before engine failure ended his day. This was Mackena Bell’s (@MackenaBell) first race on a road course. The rookie driver ran consistent all day and came home 17th.
Ryan Gifford (No. 2 NASCAR Technical Institute/UTI Toyota Camry) – It was an unfortunate night for Gifford who raced his way to the front after qualifying 12th. He ran in the top-five and even led a lap, before engine failure ended his night early. He’s currently fifth in points.
Bryan Ortiz (No. 4 Rev Racing Toyota Camry) – Ortiz ran near the front of the field all day after qualifying second, and relied on his road course background to bring his No. 4 Rev Racing Toyota Camry to a second place finish. This was his career best finish and qualifying effort.
Daniel Suarez (No. 6 Visit Acapulco Toyota Camry) – Suarez was fast all weekend, and put himself in position to battle for the lead early on by qualifying third. He was able to pass the race leader on lap ten. Suarez led the next 17 laps and battled up front the rest of the race before his night ended early due to engine failure on lap 50. He’s currently eighth in points.
Mackena Bell (No. 21 Toyota Racing Development Toyota Camry) – This was Bell’s first time competing on a road course. The rookie driver was patient throughout the race and valuable experience brining her car home with a 17th place finish. She is currently 13th in points.
The next race for the drivers in the NKNPS East will be next Monday, September 2, at Greenville-Pickens Speedway.