Hernando, Florida driver Michael Hinde looks at his performance in the first four races of the ASA Southern Super Series and knows were he needs to improve. Qualifying is where he has struggled in 2023. He currently sits fourth in the points standings after he was eighth in a full season. The only thing that looks different is his one top 10 run versus eight a year ago, but the combination events with the ASA STARS National Tour have accounted for that.
“It’s a double edge sword when you look,” said Hinde. “You want to have good finishes and race against the best and we have done that for the last few races. We don’t have the finishes to show for it, but we are mixing it up with NASCAR drivers and finishing all the laps.”
One thing Hinde is doing right is advancing his position after the green comes out. He improved eight spots in the first point race of the season at New Smyrna and followed that up with a plus 16 margin at North Wilkesboro and plus six at Hickory Motor Speedway. Hinde is plus 28 on the season, the highest mark for anyone who has started all the races.
“We have been really good at passing cars, but we want to improve in qualifying so we don’t have to start near the back all the time,” added Hinde. “We have had two flat right-rear tires in the last two races so each time that sets us back and we have to pass more cars.”
Part of the challenge that Hinde faced in the last two rounds was the NASCAR influence on the field. If you remove the NASCAR cup drivers then he could have been seeking a top five run. The same could be said for North Wilkesboro.
“We want to race the best and we have seen some tough fields the last few times out. It makes us better to race against the seasoned veterans and the NASCAR guys. They only make us better. This series draws good cars each week so you are always racing against good competition.”
Hickory was a new track for Hinde as will be Southern National Motorsports Park (NC) on June 22nd and Carteret County Speedway (NC) on June 24th. The Florida driver is ready for the opportunity and likes the doubleheader format.
“I don’t mind the new tracks, we have only been racing for a couple of years so they all still seem new to me,” added Hinde. “When you can go to a track that no one has been to, then that’s a level playing field and a chance for all of us.”
The northern swing continues for the ASA Southern Super Series in the Tar Heel State with a doubleheader at Southern National Motorsport Park on Thursday, June 22nd and then at Carteret County Speedway on Saturday, June 24th. Both races will be paying $10,000 to win. There is also a $5,000 bonus if a driver can win both races.
Southern National Motorsports Park information
June 22nd Entry Form - http://bitly.ws/HSNk June 22nd Schedule - http://bitly.ws/HSNF
Carteret County Speedway information
June 24th Entry Form - http://bitly.ws/HSNZ
June 24th Schedule - http://bitly.ws/HSPc
For more information on the ASA Southern Super Series visit the series website www.southernsuperseries.com and visit the ASA STARS Tour site https://starsnationaltour.com
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