Race season has finally arrived and it is time for some sprint car racing in the Midwest! Over the winter, the Kyle Bellm Race team made the switch over to Maxim Chassis , put in a fresh motor from Patriot Race Engines, and got a fresh new look from Jimmy Wheat at Pro Dezigns. This season, Kyle plans to race his family owned 14k when he isn’t racing the Jeff and Jerry Smith owned #86. Jeff, Jerry and crew have been working diligently on preparing for the upcoming season.
Saturday, March 16th Kyle traveled to I-30 Speedway in Little Rock, AR for the first race of the year in the KBR #14k. He started 6th in the heat race and finished 2nd. The heat race finish would put him starting outside front row for the 25 lap A-Main. Zack Pringle took home the feature win and Kyle finished a close 2nd. “It was a great start to our season and a big confidence booster for our team,” said Kyle. “I am really happy about our switch over to Maxim Chassis and I think it will be the key to our success this year.”
Friday, Kyle and the 14k went south to the Devil’s Bowl Speedway in Mesquite, TX for the inaugural Matt Clevenger Memorial, Lucas Oil ASCS National Tour race. It was his first visit back to Devil’s Bowl since 2011 and he was more than anxious get his car back on the famous Texas ½ mile. He started outside front row in his heat race and won, putting him into the redraw. Drawing a 6, he would start outside row 3 in the 25 lap main event. Kyle managed to beat fellow Missouri driver Brad Loyet to turn 1 and he never looked back. Patiently Kyle kept ticking off the laps one by one. Once he reached lapped traffic he was able to use it to his advantage and pass for 4th and soon after picking off a few more cars he found himself in 2nd. On lap 17 leader Christopher Bell’s rear end broke and Kyle took over the top spot. Leading laps 18-25, Kyle picked up his first Lucas Oil ASCS National Tour win.