5/16/2021
James Giossi
Ups and Downs
It was definitely an up and down weekend for team Giossi as they traveled to Red Cedar Speedway Friday night and Rice Lake Speedway Saturday. Friday James would start on the pole of his heat race. The green flew and James battled with Sam Mars early. The 11 car looked a touch unstable throughout the remainder of the heat race and Giossi would come home third. Even though James dropped a couple spots in the heat, he would finally have a good starting spot for the feature of 2nd row outside.
As the green dropped, Giossi would find himself in the number 2 spot early, as he would try to track down the leader. The leader, Greg Nippoldt and James were almost bumper to bumper going in to turn 1 a few laps in. Nippoldt would jump the cushion in the middle of 1 and 2 just about spinning and taking the 11 out with him. A quick move from Giossi would put him in the lead. Late in the race, after Giossi had a commanding lead, the 28 of Jimmy Mars began to close the gap. With the white flag flying, James was blasting the cushion as Mars worked down low. Side by side going into turn 3, the 11 of Giossi was able to use his momentum and rocket back by the 28 for his second win of the season.
After a win at Red Cedar, the 11 crew made their way to Rice Lake Speedway for the $2,000 to win show. James would be in the 2nd of 2 heat races. After watching heat race 1, James knew where he thought the track would be the fastest, and went to work. Starting outside of row 1, Giossi quickly grabbed the lead in turn 1 on the cushion and never looked back. James dominated heat 2 by almost a straightaway over Pat Doar.
The Late Models would be the third feature to roll out Saturday night. The front row would consist of Sam Mars on the pole and James Giossi outside row 1. The front row took off into 1 and Giossi blistered through 1 and 2 to grab the lead. Pulling away from the rest of the field it was shaping up to be 2 in a row for team 11. Giossi was flying and had nearly a straightaway lead when he hit lap traffic. James made quick work of the first few lap cars before hitting heavier traffic in front of him. The next car in front of James was the 92 of Wilson. James, right behind the 92, dove into 1 on the bottom as Wilson slid slightly up the track. In the middle of 1 and 2, Giossi went back on the gas at the same time as the 92. The 11 was pointing up the track to come off for the straightaway just as Wilson gassed up turning his car down to stay on the traction. James would jump over the left rear of the 92 as they got together, causing him to slam down on the ground and spin. This would ultimately end the night for team 11 with a DNF. In the end it would be Sam Mars picking up his first win of his young career and the $2,000 pay day. Make sure to check out the James Giossi Racing Page on Facebook for upcoming races and info!
Submitted By: Gunner Cummings
