November 7, Concord, NC--- Next and last up this year is the CRA Super Series Late Models, going 125 laps. Cassius Clark and Jeff Choquette are on the front row, with Jeff Fultz and Max Gresham behind them. Series Champion Johnny VanDorn started 7^th. After several hot laps to put heat in the tires, they were ready to go.

When the green flew, so did Choquette, taking the quick lead over Clark, Gresham, Fultz, and Ryan Blaney rounding out the top five. A caution came out quickly as a car spun low in the dogleg.

The restart was single file, with the top five remaining the same for two laps. Lap 4 saw a change in the lead as Clarke powered Choquette. At the same time, Fultz made it around Gresham for 3^rd. The running order was now Clark, Fultz, Choquette, Blaney, and Gresham. By lap 10, Clark had already pulled out to a commanding lead, as he started working his way through lapped traffic. We noted that the starter for the CRA does not throw a move-over flag for the lapped traffic.

Another caution came on lap 17 to tighten up the field as another car spun low in the dogleg.

The field stayed the same on the green, as Clark didn’t get quite the advantage, and couldn’t stretch his lead out as far, as Jeff Fultz kept him within shouting distance. But then again, the two of them, were pulling out a long 20-car advantage over Choquette and the rest of the field. By lap 25, they were already passing lapped traffic.

It was noted on lap 28 that Cassius Clark had smoke coming off the right rear tire going through turn one. He may be looking up at the starters’ stand for another caution so that he can go to the pits for his mandatory caution. The rules are the same for the CRA as the Tour Modifieds; one mandatory caution between laps 25 and 100 with two wheels up off the ground.

On lap 45, the top five running order was Clark, Fultz, Choquette, Blaney, and Johnny VanDorn. On lap 46, a car spun, tapping the outside wall exiting turn-one. This may be a good time for Clark to make his mandatory pit stop, as it was determined that the right front tire is rubbing… and to the pits the leaders went.

Clark went for both right side tires, and stayed an extra moment for the crew to move the fender away from the tire.

When the green flew, it was Cooper Fassin. But that was cut short, as three cars got together in turn one. The restart wasn’t much better, as several cars got together on the front stretch, with one car hard into the outside wall. Officials gave Fassin a warning for restarting the race too slowly. Officials had told everyone during the drivers’ meeting that if that happens by a driver twice, the offending driver will be placed at the rear of the field.

Fassin retained the lead, with Fultz, Ryan Blaney (Dave’s son), Clark and VanDorn the top five. Fultz took the lead on lap 73, followed by Fassin, Clark, Blaney, and VanDorn. Lap 79 saw Clark take over the 2^nd spot, pushing Fassin back to 3^rd.

Clark was now right on Fultz’s tail, as the two were under the proverbial blanket. We can see that despite changing the earlier tire and working on the fender, Clark’s tire rub is now worse than ever.

At lap 75, the order is Fultz, Clark, Fassin, VanDorn, and Choquette. A spin on lap 80 in front of the leaders put out another caution.

After the green, the order changed to Fultz, Clark, VanDorn, Choquette, and Chase Elliott on the top five.  We’re wondering if Clark can make it to the end without blowing his right rear, or will have to come to the pits. By lap 95, the top three were nose to tail to tail.

Disaster almost hit Johnny VanDorn, as he made light contact with a lapped car, but then quickly recovered. While that was happening, Preston Peltier made it up to fourth, with Choquette fifth. By now, the top three had checked out from the rest of the field.

At lap 110, VanDorn got tired of waiting for a mistake from Clark, and was putting on very heavy pressure, several times getting his nose under Clark. Fultz used those attempts to pull out a ten car lead over both cars. VanDorn finally was able to take 2^nd on lap 121, with only four laps to go. With two to go, it would be almost impossible for VanDorn to catch Fultz, especially with a lapped car between them.

That was the way it ended. Jeff Fultz scored a very emotional win, as he lost his son this past week. Tomorrow, he’ll be attending the funeral services, as the burial is on Monday. Following Fultz to the checker was Johnny VanDorn, Cassius Clark, Preston Peltier, and Chase Elliott. It was a very hard-fought win, as well as a great way to end the Annual John Blewett III Memorial North-South Shootout.

Back to the previous Modified race, the official order of finish is:

Burt Myers                                          Rowan Pennink
Doug Coby                                           Matt Hirschman
Jamie Tomaino                                  George Brunnhoelzl III
Eric Goodale                                       Jimmy Zacharias
Pete Brittain                                        Anthony Sesely
Zane Zeiner                                         Keith Rocco
Woody Pitkat                                      Daren Scherer
Danny Bohn                                         Dave Pecko
Gene Pack                                            George Kent
Rick Kluth                                            Ryan Preece
Eric Beers                                            Jeff Malave
Jason Myers                                        Josh Nichols
Ted Christopher                                 Andy Seuss
J.R. Bertuccio                                     Frank Fleming
Earl Paules                                          Chuck Hossfeld
Les Hinckley                                       Bobby Grigas III
James Civali

The official finish for the SK Modified race was:

Matt Hirschman                                 Doug Coby
Ted Christopher                                 Steven Reed
Ronnie Silk                                          Rowan Pennink
Rick Kluth                                            Keith Rocco
Ron Yuhas Jr.                                     Shawn Carrig
Woody Pitkat                                      Eric Beers
Ryan Preece                                        Gerry Gradl Jr.
T.J. Zacharias                                    Robert Emerling
Dan Kurzejewski                                Gary Young Jr.
Kerry Malone                                     Craig Dolphin
Anthony Sesely                                   Mike Speeny
Jimmy Zacharias