At A Glance: Netto Heads Home after Heartbreak
The World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series travels to Bakersfield (Calif.) Speedway on April 15, Perris (Calif.) Auto Speedway on April 16 and USA Raceway in Tucson, Ariz. on April 18
CONCORD, N.C. – April 12, 2016 – The last time Hanford, California’s DJ Netto competed in a World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series race he dominated the Mini Gold Cup at Silver Dollar Speedway on April 2, as he led 31 of the 40 laps, but ran out of fuel a handful of laps before the checkered flag fell.
“It definitely was a heartbreak for the team,” said Netto, who sits 20th in the standings while only running a limited schedule. “It’s nothing to get down about, we definitely had speed all night. As soon as we unloaded, from the hot laps until the end, we were fast. We got out front early and I didn’t want to try to do too much that night and push it too hard and make a mistake myself.
“We’re not sure what exactly happened with the fuel issue, we are still looking into it. We should’ve been fine but we aren’t sure – things happen. We’re all still kind of jazzed about it, it was a great run for the whole team.”
Fast forward two weeks, as the series prepares to wrap up the California portion of the Western swing, Netto has his sights set on redemption at Bakersfield Speedway, a track located just over an hour drive on Highway 99 from his hometown.
“We were using [the race at Silver Dollar] as momentum going into last weekend at Calistoga, but Mother Nature had other plans for us,” Netto said. “Bakersfield, I have never been there, but its dirt and we should be able to make something happen.
“The main key is time-trialing in. You time-trial in and it sets you up for a very smooth night, as long as you make it through your heat race. Our goal is to time-trial in well this weekend and let our night begin from there.”
Following action Friday night at Bakersfield, the series will voyage 180 miles south to Perris Auto Speedway for the SoCal Showdown on Saturday night April 16.
The race in Perris will be the final California Outlaws race until the series returns to Chico for the Gold Cup Race of Champions at Silver Dollar Speedway on Sept. 9 and 10.
After a day for travel on Sunday, the Outlaws will return to Arizona when they invade Tucson’s USA Raceway for the NAPA Wildcat Shootout on Monday, April 18.
USA Raceway has held an Outlaws race five times in the last 10 years, including each of the last three seasons. In those five events, no driver has ever repeated as winner at the track.
As for Netto, he’s looking forward to the season ahead.
“Bakersfield will be our last one [with the Outlaws] for now,” Netto said. “The plan is we are going to start off running the King of the West out here and see how that goes. If we are doing well, we will probably stay with it. If we start off with a rocky start and have a couple of things happen that are out of our control, and we aren’t there as far as points wise, then we may take off and head to the Midwest.
“We are definitely going to come for the Knoxville Nationals. We are trying to figure some things out with my uncle, who owns the team – his daughter is getting married. So we are trying to figure out a way that we can race our way back with the Outlaws through Washington, and get back for the Gold Cup [at Silver Dollar Speedway].”