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5 Flags Double Champ Roderick Tapped for a Rowdy Ride in Michigan

Story by Speed 51

For the first time in three seasons, Casey Roderick will be competing in a Late Model race for a team other than Ronnie Sanders Racing.  The Georgia driver will team up with fellow southeast competitor Donnie Wilson and Wilson Motorsports to tackle Monday night’s Money in the Bank 150 at Berlin Raceway (MI) in a new Rowdy Manufacturing Super Late Model.  Roderick, from Lawrenceville GA is the current track champion here at 5 Flags in both the Deep South Crane Super Late Models and the Allen Turner Pro Late Model divisions.

 

Roderick will pilot the No. 22 that has been driven by Trevor Noles in select races over the past couple seasons, including last weekend’s Short Track U.S. Nationals at Bristol Motor Speedway.  The deal was made in short order after conversations with Rowdy Manufacturing General Manager Cody Glick led to the opportunity at Wilson Motorsports.

 

He now heads to the 3^rd Annual Money in the Bank 150 at a track that has seen Boris Jurkovic sweep both 75-lap Money in the Bank qualifying races in a Rowdy Manufacturing car.

 

“It all came together fairly quick yesterday afternoon,â€? Roderick told Speed51.  “I was talking to Cody Glick and he and Justin Oertel were the ones that put the deal together for me.  I really appreciate those guys doing that for me and it means a lot for someone of their caliber to work something out to where I could run Berlin.

 

"Working back and forth on the phone, we were able to put something together and Donnie’s got two brand new Rowdy cars and it’ll be real interesting to see how this weekend goes.�

 

He and Wilson have competed against each other in races on numerous occasions, but on Monday night they will also be working with each other for the first time.  With the help of Wilson and his team in a new Rowdy Manufacturing car, Roderick is excited to get to the track and see how he does on Monday night.

 

“I’m real excited to work with Donnie,â€? Roderick stated.  “I respect Donnie as a competitor and also as a friend in the pits.  Donnie’s a really good guy and I’m looking forward to working with those guys and see if I can get a good finish for them.â€?

 

Roderick and car owner Ronnie Sanders made the trip to Berlin Raceway for last month’s Money in the Bank 150 in a rare appearance outside of the southeast for the duo.  He immediately adapted to the track and the race despite the challenges the tricky 7/16ths mile oval throws at competitors.

 

“It’s a really cool race and Ronnie (Sanders) and myself went up to Berlin last year and ran this race and I really enjoyed it," he said.  "It’s a unique racetrack.  It’s definitely a driver’s track I feel like and it’s very difficult.  I fell in love with the track last year and want to continue going to this race.â€?

 

Roderick had worked into the top five toward the end of last year’s Money in the Bank 150 after starting midpack at a track known for giving even the best racers fits in their first starts at Berlin.  He admits it took most of the day to get acclimated to the track due to its uniqueness.

 

“I ran sixth or seventh I think, and I qualified sixteenth,â€? he said.  “That was the first time I’ve ever been there and it’s a unique track. The way you have to get around it is kind of weird.  It took me a little while to get used to it.  In the race, I worked my way up into the top five and on the white flag I got booted out of the way going into three and it put me back to around seventh coming to the checkered.â€?

 

Roderick says the key to winning at Berlin is to be there at the end with a shot of winning.  After the disappointment of losing the lead with less than five laps to go at Bristol Motor Speedway (TN) last weekend, he is looking forward to redeeming himself Monday night in Michigan.

 

“You got to be there at the end of these races and that’s the main goal throughout the race,â€? Roderick said.  “Keep the fenders on it and keep yourself in position to win the race.  It should be fun, I’m really looking forward to it.“

 

Race fans can watch Roderick in action Monday at the Money in the Bank 150 at Berlin Raceway on Speed51's pay-per-view coverage of the event.  Click here to order your video ticket today.

 

-Story by: Koty Geyer, Speed51.com State Editor (IN & MI) - Twitter: @kgeyer3

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