Kasey Kleyn to Make Spears Southwest Tour Debut at Tucson Speedway

Bakersfield, CA – Quincy, WA racer Kasey Kleyn will make the trip to Tucson Speedway. on April 15th for the JM ENVIRONMENTAL, INC. “Wild West Shootout – Heatseeker 127” for the Spears SRL Southwest Tour Series. Kleyn will make his second trip to the 3/8-mile progressively banked oval, after participating in the “Chilly Willy 150” in February. Kleyn has the distinction of being the youngest starter in Northwest Super Late Model Series history, after making his first start at Hermiston Raceway (OR) in June, at the age of 14 years, three months, and five days. Now, at the age of 15, Kleyn will make his first Spears SRL Southwest Tour Series start.

Kleyn has six starts in the NWSLMS earning top-10’s in half of them. At the “54th Annual Apple Cup 125” two weeks ago, he was set for a second-place finish, but contact with the leader on the last lap relegated him to a ninth-place finish. He also made his debut with the Spears Pro Late Models presented by Sigma Performance Services at the “All-Star Showdown 100” at Irwindale Speedway (CA) in January. He finished eighth in that event, in a 34-car field. He followed it up with a Fast Time at Kern County Raceway Park and a third in the Pro Late Model portion of the “Winter Showdown”.

He will now head back to Tucson Speedway, where his Super Late Model start earlier this season, should help him next weekend.

“After my start in the “Chilly Willy”, making my first start in the Southwest Tour at Tucson will make it a lot easier to get out there to compete with the high level of competition the Southwest Tour brings to every race”, Kleyn suggested. “I am optimistic, since I already have had laps at Tucson in my Super Late, which was really fast in the Chilly Willy.”

Kleyn will rely even more heavily on his friends and partners this weekend, after family commitments will delay his father Mitch’s presence. But he is thankful for all those who have made the weekend possible, as he makes the 1,400-mile trip to Tucson.

“I would like to thank Trevor Cristiani Racing and Troy Furman for towing the car down to Tucson, so I can race in this race”, Kleyn stated. “Unfortunately, my dad could not get it there, due to other family commitments. I would also like to thank my sponsors Thaemert Farms L.L.C., Farmer Bean & Seed, Sporty’s Steak House, Kleyn’s Auto Sales, Inc., MountainView Polaris, and all of my crew!”

The JM Environmental Inc. “Wild West Shootout-Heatseeker 127” will be Round #3 of the 2023 Spears SRL Southwest Tour Series schedule. $10,000 will be awarded to the winner of Saturday’s feature., thanks to the Winner’s Bonus from W.A.R. Shocks. For those on the Spears Frequent Flyer Program, it will pay $1,000 to start. Practice for the Spears SRL Southwest Tour and the Spears Modified Series will take place on Friday. Saturday will find a practice session for the Super Late Models, Modifieds, as well as the Hobby Stocks. Qualifying for the Modifieds begins at 4:30 PM with Super Late Models to follow. An autograph session is scheduled for 6:00 PM with Opening Ceremonies at 6:45 PM. Feature Events for the Spears Modifieds, Hobby Stocks, and Spears SRL Southwest Tour Series will follow.

For fans unable to attend the “Wild West Shootout-Heatseeker 127” the event will be livestreamed at www.SpearsRacing.TV with a subscription. They will also be shown on MAVTV, at a time and date to be announced later.

Celebrating its twenty third season in 2023, the SPEARS Southwest Tour Series is a regional stock car series competing on paved ovals in the southwestern portion of the U.S. “The SPEARS Southwest Tour Series…Where the Champions Race”.

PC: Elevate Media

Story: K.P.