Photo – Jonathan Moore/Getty Images
Racing the third of four races with Mason Mitchell Motorsports this season in the ARCA Racing Series, Blaine Perkins is now at Chicagoland Speedway. It’s the third track he’s never raced at before to get some experience on tracks bigger than a half-mile. In his debut at Talladega he finished 13th in April and then in June he finished 12th in his Pocono debut. In the No. 98, Perkins is hoping to show some improvement tonight in his Chicagoland debut in the SCOTT 150.
In fact, Perkins is looking for a big improvement and feels he has the car and the potential to finish top-five in tonight’s race.
“Yeah definitely, I think we’ve got the car to do it,” says Perkins about his potential to finish top-five at Chicagoland. “It’s the first mile-and-a-half of the year for me so, just making a little adjustment – it’s definitely different. It’s taking some time.”
In the practice session earlier today, Perkins had a tire going down forcing him to lose some practice time.
“We had a short practice, which isn’t the greatest,” continued Perkins. “Wish we had a lot more time. But, I think we’ll get the car dialed in for qualifying and hopefully, qualify decent.”
In the practice session, Perkins finished 16th, then qualified for a 13th-place starting spot. Working his way to the top-five could be challenging, but getting some time on the track helps.
“The track is definitely the roughest track I think I’ve been too,” says Perkins. “I think it’s definitely a driver’s style, how they drive the track. I think the top will come in tonight and that’s going to be good for us. There’s definitely a big bump in three that I found out pretty quickly. It’s a big bump and going over it at a 160-70 mph upsets the car quite a bit. So we had to adjust just a little bit to get over the bump a little better and it’s also me managing how much throttle I carry over it. Just trying to get used to the track. I really like it actually. It’s a lot different with the ‘D’ shaped front stretch and the backstretch, so it’s pretty unique.”
From Bakersfield, CA, Perkins has raced with some other ARCA regulars throughout his racing career including Riley Herbst and Zane Smith. They’ve both been helpful to him as he transitions to ARCA Racing.
“I talked with Riley (Herbst) this morning,” says Perkins. “To see if I can learn anything about the track. He’s got some great experience, especially of late, making his Xfinity and Truck debut. I think this is his second full year in ARCA, so he’s got of lot of experience. I’ve been racing with him since our late model days back home in Irwindale, CA. So, I’ve got a lot of experience with him and even Zane (Smith). I raced with Zane in go-karts and it’s pretty cool to see a bunch of my friends making their way up and doing well in the ARCA Racing Series.”
After Chicagoland tonight, Perkin’s fourth race this season is at Kansas Speedway, the finale for the ARCA Racing Series. In between his four ARCA races, he’s racing full-time for the championship at Irwindale Speedway.
“We’re racing full-time locally late models in Irwindale, CA.” says Perkins. “Just trying to see if we can run for a championship. I think we’re sitting third in points right now, just a couple of points away from first. We’ve got one win there so far, so hopefully, that will kind of carry on throughout the year and we can get a championship there.”
Blaine Perkins is certainly one to watch tonight and moving forward. Watch the ARCA Racing Series run the SCOTT 150 tonight at Chicagoland Speedway at 9 pm ET on FOX Sports 1 with live timing and scoring at arcaracing.com.