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Kyle Herbert in Crate series race at Decatur County Raceway Park(Greensburg Daily News (Greensburg, Ind.) Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) Aug. 2--Sports Coordinator [email protected] Kyle Herbert and fellow Tree City Crate driver Mike Ruble are in the field of drivers competing Sunday in the Greensburg 40 Indiana Crate Series (ICS) race at the Decatur County Raceway Park at the fairgrounds. The two local drivers are both currently ranked in the top 10 in the Crate Series point standings with Ruble ranked fifth and Herbert 10th. The series is based on strict rules governing the engine for the car --hence, the name of the series. The motors are one of two models of Chevrolet engines from General Motors (GM) and are shipped to the racing teams sealed at the intake manifold, cylinder head, front cover and oil pan with special twist off bolt heads. Any car found to have had the seal broken is disqualified. Any modification of any GM part likewise is disqualified. Additionally, the motors must be normally aspirated and may not have electric water or fuel pumps. Even the tires used have limited choices with the team restricted to one of models of racing tires from the American, Goodyear and Hoosier Tire companies. The restrictions lead to a flat competitive field with driving skill and chassis set ups being the differentiating factors. Currently the series is paced by Eric Varner of New Palestine. He is followed closely by Jim Moon and Mike Bechelli of Zionsville and El1zabethtown, respectively. After third place, there is a significant drop-off to fourth place where Zak Blackwood, a 15-year old driver from Columbus holds sway. He leads a pack of seven drivers including Ruble and Herbert. Only 59 points separate Blackwood and Herbert. When contacted by the Daily News, Herbert, the grandson of Greensburg mayor Gary Herbert, indicated he is relatively new to the Crate series. "I've been racing in Crate for about a year-and-a-half. I started mid-way through last year. I've been racing for four years, since I was 14 years-old. I'm 18 now," Kyle said. He started in the Hoosier Mini-stocks running primarily at North Vernon and Lawrenceburg. "Last year I won a couple of features and seven heat races. I finished in the top three in every feature I was in," reported Kyle. This week's race, the Greensburg 40, will be held Sunday at the fairgrounds. The Crate series is one of four classes of motor-sports to be competed. The other classes are the Pure Stock which is more restrictive than Crate; Superstock which is less restrictive and permits alterations that increase horsepower and the Hornet series. Shawn Morgan, Public Relations and Marketing manager for ICS said that the last class is "a poor man's way to get into racing. These cars are powered by four cylinder engines with front wheel drive. "We hope we have a good turnout," Morgan said. To see more of the Greensburg Daily News or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to http://www.greensburgdailynews.com/. Copyright (c) 2008, Greensburg Daily News, Ind. Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services. For reprints, email [email protected], call 800-374-7985 or 847-635-6550, send a fax to 847-635-6968, or write to The Permissions Group Inc., 1247 Milwaukee Ave., Suite 303, Glenview, IL 60025, USA. |