It wasn’t the finish he wanted, but Cody Freeman got what he needed last week at the River Sprint Expo Center in Tulsa, OK. 

Freeman did not make a single A-Main in the Stock Non-Wing or Outlaw Non-Wing divisions in which he raced, but he gained a lot of experience, knocked the rust off for 2018, and progressively improved.

On Thursday, when the first Outlaw Heats were run, he made a minor mistake that had major implications.

“They watered the track right before we went out," he said. "They gave us a few hot laps and then lined us up to race. The bottom didn't get run in very well and at the start the outside line took off. I jumped the berm in turns one and two and a couple more cars got by. I got back going and passed a car to finish fifth."

Freeman finished only 11th in that division’s C-Main — in part because of track conditions again.

"The same thing happened," he continued. "They watered the track right before we went out. As we were running the track in, a part fell off the chain tensioner and the car was making funny noises. Then during the race a bolt came out in the front axle assembly so I just pulled in."

In the Stock Non-Wing division, he fared much better. Finishing third in his Heat race, he was still relegated to the C-Main, but this time he won that race and transferred to the B. Starting 13th, he climbed to sixth — four spots away from where he needed to be to get into the Feature.

Considering that both divisions drew about 250 cars, racing as far forward as the B should be considered and accomplishment.

"It was a long week and while we didn't make the Sunday shows we ended on a positive note and passed a lot of cars," Freeman said. "At least we knew we were fast. It wasn't bad considering I haven't raced in a couple of months."

Now, Freeman turns his attention to Superbowl Speedway in Greenville, Texas, where he will run in the NOW600 Series.