Casey Roderick – Rette Jones Racing Photo
NEWPORT, Tenn: After a brief one-month hiatus, the ASA STARS National Tour returns to action this weekend at Newport (Tenn.) Speedway for Saturday night’s HickoryHillTN.com 325 presented by Appalachian Sucker Punch.
The time away has been anything but quiet for Rette Jones Racing.
Following an 11th-place finish at Madison (Wisc.) International Speedway, the team put the downtime to good use by testing, refining its program and evaluating new ideas aimed at improving performance.
With those adjustments in place, the team arrives at Newport this weekend eager to turn the lessons learned into a breakthrough performance.
The Wisconsin doubleheader at Slinger (Wisc.) Super Speedway and Madison International Speedway left the team anything but satisfied, but it only strengthened its resolve to return to the front of the field.
During the month-long break, Rette Jones Racing focused on making the most of every opportunity to improve.
Extensive testing, thorough data analysis and a renewed emphasis on fine-tuning the No. 30 program have given the team confidence that the work completed away from the racetrack will pay dividends when the green flag waves Saturday evening.
“The last couple of races weren’t what any of us expected or wanted, but that’s part of racing,” said Roderick. “The positive is we’ve had some time to regroup, spend time in the shop and get out and test. Everyone has worked incredibly hard during the break, and I think we’ve learned a lot.
“Newport is a place where you have to execute from the drop of the green flag to the checkered flag. I feel like we’re in a much better position heading into this weekend, and hopefully we can race up front and show the speed I know this team is capable of.”
Newport Speedway presents a unique challenge for competitors on the ASA STARS National Tour schedule. The high-banked, half-mile oval is known for producing intense side-by-side racing, where track position, tire management and patience often determine the outcome over 325 laps.
Armed with valuable data from testing and a renewed sense of confidence, Rette Jones Racing enters the HickoryHillTN.com 325 presented by Appalachian Sucker Punch determined to translate preparation into results. The goal is straightforward: unload with speed, race among the leaders throughout the evening and contend for one of the team’s strongest finishes of the 2026 season.
While the championship standings remain a priority, the team views Saturday night’s return to competition as an opportunity to build momentum heading into the second half of the ASA STARS National Tour campaign.
A strong performance at Newport would provide a welcome boost of confidence and help establish the consistency the team has been working toward.
“I’m really proud of the effort everyone at Rette Jones Racing has put in over the last month,” added Roderick. “Nobody was satisfied with where we were, but nobody hung their heads either. Everybody kept working, and that’s what gives me confidence heading into this weekend. Now it’s up to us to go out there and put together a complete race.”
As the second half of the season approaches, Saturday night’s race at Newport presents a pivotal opportunity for Roderick and Rette Jones Racing to build momentum before another month-long break ahead of the Aug. 26 event at Owosso Speedway.
With six races remaining, every point and every finish will be critical in the battle for the championship.
“We can’t worry about points right now,” sounded Roderick. “We know that with improved performance, the points will come. We’re ninth in the standings right now, and that’s unacceptable to us. We expect more from ourselves.
“The work we’ve put in over the last month has given us confidence, but now we have to translate that into results. It’s time to start building momentum and showing the speed this team is capable of every weekend.”
While the results haven’t matched the effort invested by the team, co-owner owner and crew chief Mark Rette remains encouraged by the commitment and determination displayed throughout the organization.
The month-long break allowed Rette Jones Racing to evaluate every aspect of its program, and he believes that dedication will soon be reflected on the racetrack.
“Nobody at Rette Jones Racing is satisfied with where we are right now, but I couldn’t be prouder of the effort everyone has put in during this break,” explained Rette. “We’ve spent a lot of time testing, reviewing data and making sure we’re bringing the best possible race car to Newport. Casey has done a tremendous job working with the team, and I believe we’re headed in the right direction.
“This group hasn’t lost confidence in what we’re capable of accomplishing. We’ve all stayed focused on getting better, and I truly believe we’re close to putting everything together. Now it’s about executing when it counts and turning all of that hard work into the results we know we’re capable of achieving.”
Port City Racecars, a premier manufacturer of championship-winning chassis and race parts, specializing in asphalt short-track racing will support Roderick’s championship effort in 2026.
The green flag for the HickoryHillTN.com at Newport (Tenn.) Speedway on Saturday, July 25 is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Fans unable to attend in person can watch the 325-lap event live on Track TV.