Race 1 Race 2 Race 3 Race 4 Race 5 Race 6 Race 7 Race 8 Race 9 Race 10 Race 11 Race 12 Race 13 Race 14 Race 15 Race 16 Shootout |
| St. 9 8 - 6 4 4 4 - - 2 3 3 2 2 1 3 11 |
| Fin. 7 9 - 1 4 3 3 - - 3 1 6 2 2 2 4 8 |
| # Cars 9 9 - 12 8 7 8 - - 8 6 7 5 4 5 4 12 |
| Pts. Pos. 7 6 9 6 5 5 4 5 6 6 N/A 6 6 3 2 2 -- |
| Stats From Batavia International Motorsports Park: |
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| Unofficial Sponsors of Short-Changed Motorsports in conjunction with Michael Metzger Racing |
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| Michael Metzger first drove a go-kart at age eight, in 1992, at Ridge Road Raceway. From that point until the track's closing in 2003, Michael made many apperances during that time, which helped fuel his desire to race. In 2000, Michael got direct to Dick Kluth, a respected verteran of the NASCAR Modified tour, who is based out of Hilton, NY. This helped Michael to learn the mechanical side of racing, and allowed him to meet Steve West. West, like Michael, is an aspiring driver who was learning his lessons by working for Dick Kluth. Michael spent the next four years working on and off with Dick, Steve, and the rest of the crew at the races and in the shop. In late 2003, Steve directed Michael to a second year go-karting league based in Batavia, NY. Both agreed that joining the league would be beneficial to them getting better as drivers, so off they set in 2004 to compete in the league. In early 2004, Steve made plans to purchase a Sportsman Modified (one tier below the NASCAR Modified division) and talked Michael into joining his crew, which Michael agreed. The season began slowly for Michael at Batavia International Motorsports Park, two mediocre performances and a missed race left him in 9th place in the points, headed into race four of the schedule. The race started slow for Michael, who in the first heat finished sixth of the six cars. In the second heat, Michael drove his guts out, pulling out a third place finish, and that allowed him to advance to the feature race with the top six cars. After missing a wreck which left one car out of contention and another disqualified for rough driving, that put Michael in fourth place. On the final lap, the cars running first, second and third tried to go three wide into the corner, which did not work. The three cars spun, and Michael moved around the cars and into the lead and he held on for his first victory. Races five through seven saw Michael create a streak of consistency, qualifying fourth in each of the three races, and finishing third twice and fourth once. This moved Michael into fourth place in the point standings, but that would not last as Michael skipped races eight and nine due to rain. Falling to sixth in points, Michael was down but not out, at race ten, he won the second heat, qualified second for the feature and finished third. That week also saw the debut of the sportsman car that Steve owned. The night went well, being more of a practice than a race for the team. Week eleven brought much joy to the Metzger Racing camp as Michael won his second feature race after starting in third place. Moving from sixth place in the stnadings to finish second was a great accomplishment for Michael, that earned him a start in the year end shootout, which took the top three drivers in all nights. Although that race did not go as well as Michael planned, it was a valuable learning tool for next year.lAnd so, Michael continues to race and work on Steve's car while trying to make a name for himself in the racing business. |
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| Heat # 1 Winner Race # 13 Heat # 2 Winner Race # 14 Heat # 2 Winner Race # 15 |