Blake Auto Group

Blake enjoying new endeavor

CEDAR RAPIDS – Breaking in, breaking out, but don’t expect any braking by Matt Blake.

In just his first season of auto racing of any kind, Blake finds himself atop the season points standings at Hawkeye Downs Speedway, capturing his first feature win a week ago. Blake followed last week’s victory with a third-place showing in the feature Friday night at the asphalt track.

Blake’s friend, Jason Beuregard, talked to him about before the season about buying a Legends race car. Beauregard changed his plans, but Blake was still interested.

“He ended up buying a modified and I had already looked at one of these,” said Blake, whose cars display his Dublin City Pub designs. “I threw the idea around and ended up going and getting it.

“I haven’t raced anything before. Not since Bever Park Bike Races when I was five or six. That was about the last thing.”

Which makes the feat impressive, even in an introductory class. No experience, no problem. Blake held a 58-point lead in the standings before Friday’s races. The results have surprised him slightly and he admits he still has much to learn. He received tips from other drivers, crediting Al Diercks for his work on guides for Legend car set ups.

“The cars do a lot of things I don’t understand,” Blake said. “A lot of the guys have been helpful.”

Ben Schaitel claimed his first Legends feature victory, preventing a repeat for Blake. Schaitel grabbed the lead about four laps into the race and then pulled away from the field. Al Diercks edged Blake for second after starting last in the 11-car field. Blake, who showed some nifty driving avoiding a two-car crash between Brogan Fiala and Bryce Bailey with 17 laps left of the 30-lap contest, also started near the back of the field.

“I was just telling myself at the end to keep driving and keep driving,” Schaitel said. “Nothing more I can ask for than a win like this.” 

Blake, 37, a 1992 graduate from Cedar Rapids Washington, has become more comfortable and confident behind the wheel each time out. The feeling was different while sitting in his car before take the track for his first heat race.

“I was nervous. I didn’t want to wreck anybody,” Blake said. “I had been taking advantage of all the practices. I had a couple extra practices because I was new at it. Once I got that first heat race out of the way I was a lot more comfortable.

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Gary Lang Auto Group Blog

At the Gary Lang Auto Group, we carry everything from Kia to Cadillac, including Chevy, Subaru, GMC, Buick and Mitsubishi. Serving McHenry County for over 27 years, we're located on Route 31, between Crystal Lake and McHenry, Illinois. We provide sales and service for seven makes, with over 22 acres of inventory. With everything from cheap cars to luxury suv's, Gary Lang Auto Group has the vehicle you want. We have credit solutions for everyone.

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