The second night of the Crate Racin’ USA 604 Late Models and 602 Sportsman saw a similar car count as 21 602s returned and the field of 604 Late Models grew to 76.
Qualifying procedure utilized a combination qualifying hot lap session with as many as five cars taking times for their qualifying group. Doug Horton from the final qualifying group posted the fastest overall time with a blistering 15.809. Other group top qualifiers were Travis Varnadore, Jeremy Shaw, Brian Smith, Logan Roberson, Drew Kennedy, Keith Nosbisch and David Showers Jr.
A good qualifying run proved to be a ticket to the A main as Varnadore, Shaw, Smith, Roberson, Kennedy, Nosbisch and Horton won their heats from the pole. Showers was the odd man out, having to run a B main after his preliminary saw Jeff Choquette come away a winner in his first night of action.
The heats left many drivers seeking a last chance into the A-main through four B features. Mark Whitener, Jason Welshan, Walker Arthur and Showers Jr. punched their ticket to the 30-lap main.
Horton led the field to the green, holding the early lead with Nosbisch chasing in second. On a lap 13 restart, Nosbisch fell out, handing second to Roberson, who was attacking from the high side. Jeremy Shaw had begun to move into the top five, sweeping past Travis Varnadore and Rodney Wing to get into the conversation. Through the long green flag runs, Horton was beginning to catch the backmarkers, who were occupying the same line. Roberson tried to counter, staying to the high side, but Horton masterfully weaved through traffic to cross the line in front of the field. Horton went to Victory Lane, but an hour later, series officials announced a disqualification and the unofficial win reverts to Roberson.
Thursday runnerup Seth Wimpey led the field of 21 602 Sportsman cars in qualifying with a 16.650 run. Wyatt Gainey and Richie Stephens were best in their qualifying groups. Stephens, Joe Denby and Wimpey were heat winners.
A caution filled feature negated any attempts at long green flag runs. Stephens led Wimpey as the field managed to get a lap in before a caution with five cautions in five laps costing valuable race time. On each restart, Stephens went low and Wimpey stayed high, each looking for the ticket to victory. With 13 laps completed, the field was stopped for another caution, which led race officials to order a green-white-checkered to end the race. Stephens would take the 15-lap win over Wimpey for the second straight night.
The final night of Crate Racin’ USA Action in the 46th annual Winternationals goes on Saturday night. Race time is 7:00 p.m.
604 LATE MODELS
Feature: Logan Roberson (22), Jeremy Shaw (1s), Travis Varnadore (41), Steve Mathis Jr. (95), Jason Welshan (01), Cody Overton (97), Nevin Gainey (17), Rodney Wing (10), Jeff Choquette (89), Andy Nezworski (7), Drew Kennedy (K37), Mark Whitener (05w), Brenden Smith (17ss), Walker Arthur (87), Cory Hedgecock (23), Matt Cooper (18), Jody Knowles (66), Trevor Collins (72), David Showers Jr. (118), Jamie Burford (19), Dillon Brown (6), Keith Nosbisch (02), Garrett Mosley (38), Mack McCarter (51), Brian Smith (7s), Joe Denby (27), Rodgerick Dykes (5). DQ – Doug Horton (46); Varnadore, Nosbisch, B. Smith disqualified 2-17-22
602 SPORTSMAN
Feature: Richie Stephens (00), Seth Wimpey (24), John Wayne Haynes (52), David Showers Jr. (18), Tucker Anderson (22), Micha McCall (3), Joe Denby (27), Wyatt Gainey (8G), Kyle Beck (4), Troy Dixon (7), Brandon Yates (53), Craig Montesi Jr. (93), Zack Owens (8), Chuck Hargrove (H28), Jamie Anderson (2), Austin Leamon (18L), Quentin Steedly (11), Jason Hayes (10H), Justin Rabon (5), Matt Thompson (22M), Mario Gresham (10)
