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Hard Work Pays Off For MPL Motorsports The hard work that the #25 MPL Motorsports Team has displayed throughout the season finally paid off last Friday as the prestigious Race of Champions Modified Tour rolled into Spencer Speedway. Twenty six of the best local Modified racing teams were on hand for the nights competition and Mike Leaty used his knowledge of the unique track to post an impressive third place finish. The #25 US Army and Rochester Steel Treating Works Modified first took to the track for the second Modified heat of the night. Leaty started on the outside of the first row and slotted into the third position at the drop of the green flag. Although track conditions have improved at Spencer Speedway over the last few weeks, the outside groove was still a hard place to race. Leaty maintained possession of the third place spot for the duration of the ten lap qualifying event and was entered into the redraw for the main event. The top twelve qualified cars redrew for their starting position in the 100 lap feature. Leaty redrew fourth, starting on the outside of the second row. When the green flag flew to start the feature, Leaty and his #25 Modified were once again stuck on the outside groove of the racetrack. He was shuffled back and managed to slot his car into the eighth position on the bottom lane of the racetrack. Leaty attempted passing the car in front of him on the outside a number of times, but there was no grip for the tires. A yellow flag on lap 29 brought a caution out on the racetrack and Leaty chose to pit for a new tire. After the pit stop, the US Army and Rochester Steel Treating Works Modified was sitting in the sixteenth running position. As the laps clicked off a number of cautions occurred during which other competitors pitted. By pitting early, Leaty was able to take full advantage of the situation and by lap 44, had worked his way up to the sixth position. Leaty immediately set his sights on cracking into the top five. The outside groove finally provided some traction for the wide, slick Hoosier Modified tires and Leaty was able to pass on the outside to claim the fifth spot. Soon Leaty was up to fourth and then into third. As the race wound down, he kept applying heavy pressure to the second place car, but the laps expired before Leaty could make the second place pass. The third place finish was highlighted by a win by Mike’s father – Jan – as the Leaty family took two out of the top three finishing spots. "This was a really good night for my entire family" said Mike Leaty. "We used our home track advantage tonight to get some much needed momentum going in our favor. These are the kind of results we expect every race and hopefully this is the springboard to a very successful conclusion to our season." Next up on the schedule for the #25 US Army and Rochester Steel Treating Works is another Race of Champions Modified Tour event, as Dunn Tire Raceway Park (formerly known as Lancaster Speedway) hosts its 50th Anniversary Celebration this Saturday, August 9th. The MPL Motorports Team looks to continue their hot streak as they compete against RoC tour regulars, Dunn Tire Raceway Park veterans, and invading drivers from the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour in the 100 lap main event. |
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