Speedweeks Recap – Taillon Trying to Silence Doubters

Speedweeks are in full swing as the Elite Racing League Belly Up Sports Series is in Daytona for what is to be a thrilling Daytona 500.

Monday, the Clash kicked off Speedweeks and it was Trey Eidson who captured the victory and $20. The race, like all clashes, was pure chaos. Eidson, after missing the final lap crash, caught the front three cars going into turn three passing them all and taking the win.

Wednesday was the official start to the Belly Up Sports Cup Series as the Elite Racing League played part in the Daytona 500 qualifying and the Duels. To no one’s surprise, it was last year’s champion, Tyler Foti getting the pole for the prestigious event. Starting second, long-time Elite driver Jesse Rasimas will start alongside Foti. Garrison Hogan was the open driver qualifying for the 500 on speed. Tyler Foti on winning the 500 pole: “This will make it easier to execute our game plan of staying up front ahead of the trouble. It’s apparent you’re going to need help if you want to go anywhere. I’m looking forward to the 500 and working with the guys at LNM.”

After qualifying were two 50-lap events to determine the starting lineup for the 500 as well as award points to the Top 10 finishers in each event. Duel 1, chaotic and calm? The race had much to talk about as multiple incidents occurred but none resulted in a caution. Through it all, it was a feel-good story for the winner. A driver suspended last year for incidents that took place on the race track took time off to evaluate and get back better than ever.

That driver was Harrison Taillon. A driver that some wrote off. Taillon explained: “Going into the season being overlooked and told that I don’t belong in the Cup Series definitely gives me extra motivation and confidence to prove them wrong. Although it is one race and only a duel, we will try and ride this wave of momentum and confidence for as long as possible.” Harrison will start third for the 500. Josh Robbin was the open driver, locking himself into the race, starting fifth. 

Usually in Duel races when one is calm the other is eventful, it played out that way again. Many drivers suffered major damage as multiple cautions took out the likes of Vincent Isabella, Tre Holmes, Justin Fortener, and many others. The most exciting part of this race was the battle to get into the show. Frank Foti, Tyler Foti’s dad, was trying to make his first 500 and had that spot for the majority of the race. As the laps closed, Nick Masse made a massive charge to the front passing Foti and getting in the 500 for Mountain Man Motorsports as Nick will start 14th. A three-wide battle for the win saw the high side prevail and David Tooker winning the race as Tooker will start fourth. 

Calendar of Events for The Elite Belly Up Sports Cup Series

Tuesday, January 30th: Daytona 500 Champions Roundtable Show

Wednesday, January 31st: The Elite Homeplace Beer Company Daytona 500

Thursday, February 1st: The SIMply Racing Podcast

Elite Belly Up Sports Series Daytona 500 Starting Lineup

1. Tyler Foti
2. Jesse Rasimas
3. Harrison Taillon
4. David Tooker
5. Josh Robbin
6. Jonathan Cutlip
7. Jeff Green
8. Michael Hossack
9. Ethan Birrel
10. Chris Wright
11. RC Enerson
12. Justin Fuller
13. Ryan Schuld
14. Nick Masse
15. Dustin Duerr
16. Mathieu Weeks
17. Seth Rawls
18. Johnny Thomas
19. Alayton Norgard
20. Mark Rebilas
21. Chad Frankenfield
22. Ethan Stanley
23. Wyatt Knadle
24. Tate Lightle
25. Michael Goodman
26. Scott Crump
27. Justin Vandermaarel
28. Josh Clark
29. Brent Jones
30. Kyle Hanshaw
31. Jordan Owens
32. Ryan Gavel
33. Casey Hatch
34. Vincent Isabella
35. Andrew Rucker
36. Trey Eidson
37. Garrison Hogan
38. Justin Fortener
39. Robert Hill Jr
40. Tre Holmes
41. Nick Indelicato
42. Joshua Personette
43. Justin Wadsworth

Come check out Belly Up Sports on Twitter/X for more sports and entertainment news and content. Featured image credit to iRacing.com.