Rough Start to WSMT Season Doesn't Waiver Seuss' Confidence

Mechanical Issue Sidelines Riggs Racing Machine at Concord

Last season, Andy Seuss and the Riggs Racing #47 Advance Auto Parts Modified took the final checkered flag of the year in the NASCAR Whelen Southern Modified tour event at Caraway Speedway (NC).  After rain postponed the 2009 opener at the same track, Seuss and the team looked to continue their season-end success at Concord Speedway (NC) by winning the first WSMT event at the track.  Despite having one of the fastest cars of the weekend, a mechanical issue sidelined Seuss early on in the event.

The day started off promising for Seuss as his car clocked in towards the front of the field, and at the green flag, he was making his way to the leader when the engine gremlins struck.

"The guys prepared an awesome car, like always," said Seuss.  "We made a few minor adjustments and were one of the faster cars.  We qualified sixth and started sixth.  We passed a few cars on the outside early and was just going to settle in.  The motor started to skip and then shut off.  We came in and pulled the valve covers off; it was a blown rocker.  Typically if it was in just two pieces, we would replace it, but it was in so many different pieces there was metal down in the motor and we didn't want to take a chance."

Many racers would be extremely upset and even depressed after a bad finish in a season opener, but Seuss is confident in his team and his chances at obtaining the 2009 WSMT title.

Andy Seuss and the Riggs Racing #47 Modified was fast at Concord Speedway (NC).  (51 Sports Photo)

"You can only have so many mulligans in a season, and it is unfortunate we had to take one this early on, but these guys are flawless.  The way this car was at Caraway (NC) at the end of last year, we realistically could win them all.  That is seven races (in the season) right there and we are pretty good at some of the other race tracks and improving on the ones we have struggled at.  These guys continue to impress me and I just get to be the lucky one behind the wheel. 

"A bad day at the races is always better than a good day somewhere else."

Next up for Andy Seuss and the Riggs Racing #47 Advance Auto Parts team is the double-header weekend, just a few short days away.  First, the team will hit the NASCAR Whelen Southern Modified Tour event at Ace Speedway (NC) on Friday, March 27th.  Then the team will head a bit east to Caraway Speedway (NC) for the Tour event on Saturday, March 28th.