New Car, New Number, New Year at Charlotte Motor Speedway Winter Heat Cook-Out !

Blake had a strong start in the New Year as he got behind the wheel of his new #16 INEX Legends car for the 2020 Winter Heat Season at Charlotte Motor Speedway. He was happy to be back at CMS, his home away from home. Blake clocked the 5th fastest time during practice and qualified in the Semi-Pro Division at P7 out of a field of 25+ cars . Blake maintained a top ten position through the race right up until the next to last lap. After going wide to avoid a pile-up he wrapped up the race in P14. A big thanks to AK Performance for providing Blake with the super-fast #16 car. She’s a really beauty. He can’t wait to get out on the track again.

Blake inspires Wellesley Elementary students with his racing journey

During the off season Blake is using his racing journey to inspire Wellesley elementary students to reach for their academic and sports dreams. Blake talks to students about using growth mindset strategies like “the power of yet” when trying to reach difficult goals. He also shares with them the struggles he has overcome as he continues on the road to his NASCAR cup dream

Blake Takes P2 at Charlotte Motor Speedway's 1/5 Mile Track

Blake was happy to be back at his home away from home this weekend, Charlotte Motor Speedway. He took P2 in the Legends Race at the CMS 1/5 Mile Track. Blake will be back in Charlotte again next weekend for more Legends Racing and of course to watch the ROVAL 400 at America’s Home For Racing.

Top Five Finish and Blake Welcomes Two New Sponsors This Week

Blake had a top five finish at the 1/5 Mile at Charlotte Motor Speedway this weekend. He finished in 4th place in the Legends competition and is looking forward to heading back to Charlotte for two more races this month.

Blake also is happy to welcome two new Pit Row Patrons this week. He is looking forward to working with Bryant Motorsports Group Academy and Operation Hope. Both organizations do important work helping people across many communities. Check them out on line or at the link here. If you would like to sponsor Blake please visit the sponsor page.

Blake Gets Back to His Racing Roots

Blake was thrilled to get back to his roots this weekend and get some seat time behind the wheel of a World Formula Light kart at the Canaan Motorsports track in New Hampshire. He joined his NHKA racing family for Race #6 of the summer series. This was the first time any of the NHKA drivers had a chance to race on the newly rebuilt track. But Blake was clearly up for the challenge. Blake battled it out against some of the NHKA’s most competitive and experienced drivers affectionately known as “the hooligans” by race director Mike Camarra. In afield of 18 drivers, Blake qualified in P5 and took a podium finish in the feature race with P2. Its always wonderful to spend time with the NHKA family. Meanwhile when he’s not in a go kart he’s keeping his racing skills sharp on the simulator at Apex Kartsports in North Reading, MA

Wild Weekend of Racing August 9th and 10th

Blake had a wild weekend of racing on August 9th and 10th. He clocked the fourth fastest time at Wake County Speedway in Raleigh on Friday night finishing the race in P7. After Friday night, he headed straight to Anderson Speedway in Williamston South Carolina for a full day of racing on Saturday August 10th. Blake started that race in P19 with a field of 25+ cars. He steadily worked his way up until he was spun by a car that blew a tire, sending him to the back of the pack. Blake was determined though, and past 15 cars in the next 10 minutes of the race putting him in P10. In the second to last lap Blake was spun out by another driver and that’s when things got crazy. A very late yellow caution flag left Blake vulnerable on the track when the lead pack of drivers came flying back around turn one for the last lap, not knowing Blake was stopped on the track. Two drivers, including one of Blake’s teammates, were able to take quick evasive action and swerve and miss Blake’s car, but a third car T-boned the #59 hard in the driver-side door at full speed. Blake’s car was thrown into the wall. The other car caught fire. That driver was able to exit his burning car but Blake was trapped in his #59 car. Rescue crews were slow on the response to Blake, but thanks to the quick action of other drivers, pit crew members and fans who jumped the wall, the door was pried off and Blake was removed from the car. He took an ambulance trip to the hospital where he spent the night in the emergency room and left with a new pair of crutches. Luckily he had no broken bones (just a badly sprained ankle) but was a little banged up and a lot sore. He wants all his fans to know he is back on the mend now and looking forward to his next race (after a quick trip to watch NASCAR racing at Bristol). He and his family give a huge thank you to the folks at Anderson, AKPerformance , fellow drivers, teammates and fans who helped get Blake safely out of his wrecked car. After the red flag, Blake ended that race in P10.

Blake running top 10 at Anderson Motor Speedway on August 10th before wreck ends the race

Blake's wrecked #59 car being towed from track at Anderson Motor Speedway in Williamston SC On August 10

Blake’s #59 car back at the shop after wreck at Anderson. That driver-side door panel showed its strength by taking the full speed impact of another car without buckling in on Blake. Blake was bumped and bruised but had no broken bones. Unfortunately the #59 may be beyond repair but it protected and served Blake well in the 2019 season.

Blake's crash at Anderson Motor Speedway SC August 2019 (upper right of screen)

TOP 15 WRAP-UP TO THE BOJANGLES SUMMER SHOOTOUT LEGENDS SERIES

Blake wrapped up his rookie season in the Bojangles Summer Shootout Series with a strong top 15 finish in the point standings (out of a field of 40+ drivers) and some wild racing in races nine and ten this week. On both Monday and Tuesday Blake consistently clocked qualifying times in the 17.6’s and 17.7s. He took a wild ride during the end of Monday night’s race when he was caught up in a wreck and all four tires took flight as he went spinning through the air. Despite that Blake’s car landed on all fours and he was able to finish the race in P12. After further inspection, it was discovered that the wreck had bent the car’s frame. Blake was able to race the following night even though there was not enough time to totally change up the car. He finished P3 in his heat race making it into the A feature. Blake was running 13th in the A feature race, but was forced to go to the back of the pack (P25) after a controversial black flag call in lap 19. Despite that, in the last few laps of the race Blake was able to pass 7 cars to wrap up in P18 out of a field of 25.. After the race it was time for autographs and fireworks! He is so thankful to Rev Racing and NASCAR for the opportunity to participate in the Drive for Diversity program this summer.

Blake’s car takes flight in Race 9 of the Bojangles Summer Shootout

Blake signs autographs and hands out candy to young fans at the last night of the 2019 Bojangles Summer Shootout Series at Charlotte Motor Speedway.

Race 8 of the Bojangles Summer Shootout: Great Racing By Blake Despite Engine Failure

Blake went into Race Eight of the summer shootout very confident after clocking some great lap times during Monday night’s practice session. Blake has now got his lap time into the 17.6’s. On Tuesday’s race he took the checkered flag in P1 for his Heat Race. That gave Blake a starting position of P14 in the 20-plus driver Feature race. Blake made steady progress through the feature race passing car after car until he reached the P7 position with only 7 laps to go in the race. That’s when his engine blew a rod and he lost total power in his car. But that’s all part of racing!!!! Blake was disappointed because it was clear he was well on his way to hitting his top five goal on this night. But he’s taking it all in stride and remains focused on that goal for next week.

Blake Takes P1 in Heat Race

Blake Shares his Racing Journey on the 3-WIDE with EG3 podcast

During this 3-WIDE podcast Blake talks about his personal racing journey, what it’s like to be part of the NASCAR Rev Racing Drive for Diversity program and NASCAR today.

An Audioboom post by The 3-Wide Podcast w/EG3

Race 7 of the Bojangles Summer Shootout: Cracking Top Ten

In race seven of the Bojangles Summer Shootout Blake reached a major goal of breaking top ten in the Semi-Pro Legends Feature Race. Despite early trouble with his car getting loose during qualifying and the heat race, after some mechanical adjustments, Blake grabbed P8 in his feature race. It was a hard fought race with more than 4 cautions, several wrecks and one car flipping in lap 24. Blake started the race in P19 and steadily moved up through the field of 20 plus drivers. He jockeyed for positions reaching P8 before the race was called for time after one car flipped in lap 24 of the 25 lap race. Blake is now setting his sights toward cracking top 5.