Race 6 of the Bojangles Summer Shootout saw NASCAR Revracing D4D driver Blake Lothian continue to make steady progress and reach another racing goal. He brought his lap times below 18 seconds with a fastest time of 17.95. Blake finished P7 in his heat race with a field of 15 cars. Blake maintained his goal of staying in the top 15 in the feature race with his sights on top ten next week. Blake was also able to get some great track photos of his #59 Legends car thanks to LWPictures.com. On his one day off during the week Blake also checked out nearby Lake Norman State Park and enjoyed some swimming and mountain biking.
Race 5 of the Bojangles Summer Shootout and Happy 4th
It’s been four weeks since Blake entered the NASCAR Rev Racing Driver Development Program in Charlotte North Carolina. Over the last weeks and days Blake has steadily increased his driving skills in his INEX #59 Legends Car and decreased his lap times. He has persevered though scorching heat and mechanical failures to have his best week ever on this Fourth of July week. On July 2nd he finished P2 in his heat and reached his goal of top 15 in his feature race out of a field of almost 30 drivers, as he continues his quest for top 10. Blake wrapped the night up with an autograph session on the track and an awesome fireworks display by Charlotte Motor Speedway. Blake is thrilled to be in the program and grateful to both NASCAR and Revracing for this amazing opportunity.
Blake Brings NASCAR and Rev Racing To His Hometown
Blake brought NASCAR and Rev Racing to his hometown of Wellesley, Massachusetts this weekend as the town celebrated the approach of summer with their annual parade and festivities. On Saturday Blake appeared at the Wellesley Car Show where he signed autographs for kids and answered questions about how they could get started in the sport of racing. He also spoke with local media about the NASCAR Drive for Diversity program. That evening Blake hosted a party at his home to thank all of his local sponsors, teachers, family and friends for their support over the years. On Sunday, Blake also sported the NASCAR banner in the Veteran’s Parade with a sweet ride courtesy of Mazda of Wellesley. He wrapped up the night by meeting more children and signing autographs at the booth of his sponsor Wellesley Dental Group.
Mother's Day Racing Weekend
Blake did double time behind the wheel this Mother’s Day weekend. He raced in the opening day race of the NHKA 2019 Outdoor series at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. Thanks again to the Campos family Blake raced in the LO206 Seniors class. He wrapped up the day on the podium with a 3rd place finish. During the one hour NHKA lunch break, Blake walked over to Granite State Legends, which is located on the grounds of New Hampshire Motor Speedway. There Kelsey from Granite State got Blake behind the wheel of a Legends Car for the first time. Granite State set up a course for Blake where he was able to get in a one hour practice session. A big thanks to George V of Apexkarts for help in arranging the practice session. Now Blake is even more excited and ready to get behind the wheel in Charlotte. After the racing Blake enjoyed some family time at Mascoma Lake Campground in NH.
NHKA Gets Wet and Wild at Canaan Motor Speedway
It was a wet and wild ride for NHKA members first practice of the 2019 race season last week. Blake enjoyed the hydro ride thanks to the Campos crew. While he is gearing up to head to Charlotte this summer as part of the NASCAR Rev Racing D4D program, he is not about to miss out on the fun and competition with his NHKA family. He will be attending as many NHKA races as possible in New Hampshire this season as well. Also thanks to Ken Repke for making all the NHKA racers look so good with his amazing race photography. To see more of Ken’s work go to KenRepke.zenfolio.com
Blake Cheers on A Racing Legend on Marathon Day
Jimmie Johnson runs the 123rd Boston Marathon. As he passes by Blake’s home along the route, Blake holds up a banner and cheers on Johnson. The seven-time NASCAR champion gives Blake a high five as he passes by. Johnson finished the race in a little over three hours.
Blake Heads to Charlotte for NASCAR Drive for Diversity Try Out
After a nationwide search, Blake was among eight drivers chosen to compete in the NASCAR Drive for Diversity Combine in Charlotte North Carolina this weekend. The Drive for Diversity Youth program seeks to bring young talented minority drivers and female drivers into the sport of racing. After the combine, four drivers will be chosen for the summer INEX Legends car series.
Blake and fellow drivers jumping for joy at the NASCAR Drive for Diversity Combine Weekend
Blake and fellow drivers with Rev Racing owner Max Siegel at NASCAR Hall of Fame
Top Ten Finish for 2018 NHKA Season
Blake finished in 7th place for the 2018 NHKA season despite major mechanical malfunctions at four races including two incidents that required Blake to use a loaner engine. Along with plenty of kart trouble , Blake sustained a concussion after hitting the barriers in Race Nine at NHMS. His recovery required him to rest, take time off from school and caused him to miss out on racing in the final race of the NHKA season. Even with all the adversity that came with the 2018 season, Blake never gave up, persevered and kept a positive attitude. He considered it all a learning experience that will help him in his long range racing goals
Top Ten Finish
Blake finished in the top ten again this weekend for Race Four of the NHKA Outdoor Series at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. That despite being plagued by engine troubles yet again this week. After qualifying in 4th place, the 90 plus degree temperatures caused a rubber mount that holds on the carburetor to melt and liquify during the pre-finals. That stopped Blake's engine dead on the track and meant he had to start in the back of the pack for the final race. But Blake took on the challenge and made his way up to 8th place passing more than ten cars. Despite this week's engine troubles and a bent axle and broken tie rod in Race Three at Canaan, Blake is taking on the challenges as they come and refocusing his efforts for the upcoming KARTMANIA!
Melted Carburetor Mount
Melted Carburetor Mount
NHKA 2018 Opening Race Day at NHMS
It was an exciting weekend of racing and weather for the opening race day at NHMS. First, a micro-burst on Friday night forced Blake and family to flee their tent and run for their SUV. That's where Blake spent the night. Some trailers were flipped but everyone stayed safe. Only the tent didn't fare so well. Despite the lack of sleep, Blake had a great day of racing. It was his first time out in his new World Formula kart in the World Formula Light class. After qualifying in the top ten , he had some bad luck and lost his engine chain in the preliminary race round. That forced him to start at the back of the pack in the final race. But Blake was able to move from 15th place up to third place. That gained him a spot on the trophy podium. WGBH and NPR were there to catch all the action for an upcoming piece they are doing on Blake and his racing passion.
