Pair of Top 10 Finishes at Phoenix Leaves MRM Drivers Wanting More

Phoenix, AZ - The west coast swing for the NASTRACK XFINITY Series, the main series of Max Rev Motorsports driver Steven Burnett and Justin Kern, hit the half way mark with their trip out to the fast but relatively flat mile track of Phoenix International Raceway.

With some rules packages being changed during the off week, Burnett was looking to get that monkey off his back and grab his first win of the season, as well as secure his position in the post season play-offs simply known as the chase. “You know I think the gear change is going to help a lot,” Burnett said of the rules change. “I think with the tire package we have now the car just needs a little bit more bite off the corners and I think this is going to do it. I know the guys back at the shop are making good cars and giving us both good pieces come race day, we just haven’t had lady luck on our side."

Kern, who has struggled the most this season, had great things to say about the gear change. “You know I only look at this season has having two bad races,” Kern explained. “We ran up front there all day long at Daytona and we were pushing our teammate for the win. Just had some cars get out of line after a pitstop and ruing both our nights, thats racing. Atlanta and Las Vegas we suffered some mechanical issues on the driver side that really hurt us but its okay, its early we will bounce back, lot of racing left and I think we proved that this past weekend out at Phoenix.

Steven Burnett, No. 5 Hirschfeld Marketing Solutions

Chevrolet Camaro

Started: 3rd

Finished: 3rd

Standing: 3rd

Recap: Burnett would start the 80-lap feature from the third position on the grid, rightfully so after wrapping up happy hour in the same position on the speed chart. Right along pretty familiar faces as the cream of the crop as started to rise to the top early on in this season. The team never really had much time to flex its muscles and show its preparation as the race was mauled with cautions due to some mishaps in the rear of the field. Burnett was able to climb his way to the top of the leader board a few times leading 8 of 80 laps using pit strategy to his advantage. Unfortunately the cautions did not fall his way and would be forced to settle with a third place finish on the evening. “A lot of cautions kept us from getting a good long run to see what the car could do,” Burnett said following the race. "The team is starting to fall into a rhythm now and we will move on to Cali looking for that first win of the season. Got to thank Hirschfeld Marketing Solutions for coming on board in some races this year, Puro Clean, Race Driven Graphics, The Weekly Racer, and I Am Second."

Justin Kern, No. 2 Waltz Engineered Sales, Inc.

Chevrolet Camaro

Started: 9th

Finished: 7th

Standing: 11th

Recap: After showing speed early in the practice season when the track was green, Kern was regulated to a 9th place starting spot on the grid. His second best starting position of the season after he was cursed with mechanical issues the following two events. Kern would keep his nose clean through out the entire race never falling worst than tenth on the leaderboard. Smooth, consistent laps were the key for Kern at Phoenix keeping him just in front of the melee that seemed to be going on behind him. Kern would charge as hard as P5 during the races longest green flag run but some need repairs on pit road would push him back on the ensuing restart. Paired with some light contact from a car with older tires, Kern was forced to settle with seventh. “I am just glad to be back in somewhat normal form,” Kern said after the race. “I know a lot of people wouldn’t be happy with seventh but after the luck we have had this is great. We showed them we had something for them tonight. I really feel if we didnt get pinched into the wall there with about ten laps to go we could of had a top five for sure. I just can’t thank the guys at MRM for what they do and of course my sponsors, Waltz Engineered Sales for coming out west with us, The Weekly Racer, Puro Clean, and Race Driven Graphics"

Max Rev Motorsports will put a cap on the 2016 edition of the West Coast Swing next week as they head out to Auto Club Speedway for 70-laps of high speed, four wide, bumpy action under the lights. Stay tuned for updates through out the week on our Facebook page as well as our newly developed Twitter (@MRM_team). Drop us a line and let us know how you are doing!

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