Can Elliott Sadler Mask Previous Bad Luck at ISM Raceway?

Yesterday's blown engine was just another scene of bad luck at ISM Raceway for Elliott Sadler. ISM Raceway has been the scene of high points and some low points in his career in the XFINITY Series. Later today, Sadler will make his 20th start at ISM in the XFINITY Series. The driver of the No. 1 Cessna Chevrolet Camaro is looking to deliver JR Motorsports its third straight victory in Phoenix, Arizona.

In 2012, Elliott Sadler snapped a long winless streak in the XFINITY Series at ISM Raceway with Richard Childress Racing. Later that season, the track that brought him so much joy just nine months before brought him heartbreak and anger as Sadler got turned by Jason Leffler. The crash ended his run for his first championship as he watched Ricky Stenhouse Jr. collect his second straight championship.

Since 2012 though, ISM Raceway hasn't been a factor in Sadler's career. Since the victory in 2012, he has the best finish of third in November of 2014. Last spring Sadler earned a fifth-place finish as teammate Justin Allgaier went to victory lane. Like in 2012, Sadler enters ISM Raceway with a winless streak. It has been 42 races since Sadler last visited victory lane (Kentucky 2016).

“I’m looking forward to getting to Phoenix this weekend," said Sadler in the JR Motorsports release. "Our Cessna team has had a solid start to the West Coast swing, which I love. We’re hoping to keep our top-five streak going. When we come back in the fall, the start/finish line will be in a different place so it would be cool to win the last Xfinity race in this configuration.”

After blowing an engine in the first practice session yesterday, Sadler will start from the rear of the field later today. (Koelle,2018)

Photo Credit - Brandon Wright/Brandon Wright Photography

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