CalSpeedSept2018

S eptember 29’s race day played host to a unique set of circumstances after rain-outs from both Sprint Series Rounds 3 and 7 earlier this year making it a day not to miss. Going into the race, the Overall Championship was a head-to-head battle between leader Spencer Russell and P2 Samuel Hunt, the latter already with a strong shot at the Summer Sub-championship. Another wrench thrown into the game came in the form of two different track layouts: Grande CCW in the morning race and Classico CCW in the afternoon. All of these unusual factors made for a recipe that would contribute to a very exciting conclusion by day’s end… Sprint Series Round 3 began sans Race Clinic, putting drivers in a different frame of readiness as they took to the track for qualifying. Rodney Bryant, Summer Sub-champ points leader going in, looked to be ruling the track with his pace as the session kept rolling. With only a minute ago, it looked like Hunt would be able to steal pole away briefly, followed by Tyler Redman. It wasn’t meant to be, however, as Bryant would be able to keep up his drive and score pole position for the morning event. Heat 1B began with Hunt in the lead and drivers Evan Karp and Donnie Clarke immediately cutting through the field for second and third, the battle for P2 ensuing amongst them. Hunt had over a full second on the field with the hornet’s nest behind him staying busy, but not enough for him to get away. Meanwhile, Karp in P2 pulled fast lap and took a successful inside pass at Short Beach to become the new leader. Several attempts to steal the lead away were futile but Hunt would set up out of the Hairpin on the final lap, getting the first position back for himself to win heat 1A ahead of Karp and Clarke. A lot was riding on this day and A-Main pole sitter Hunt knew this. At the green then, his response was quick and his advantage began very quickly over the rest. The battle for P2 was deep with Russell at the helm of it– the pressure behind however was absolutely huge and Hunt was getting further and further away. Karp’s very aggressive driving allowed him to oust Russell, the swarm swallowing him up all too quickly. Bryant meanwhile now sat in third glued to Karp’s bumper while he constantly took peeks at the inside of turn 4 in the hopes of prying open a window. Just before the white flag, the pair would drag race out of Bypass coming side-by- side across the line. Karp would just barely hold on to P2… At the checkered flag, Hunt would cruise to the win for Sprint Series Round 3 followed by Karp and Bryant for the podium. Round 7’s qualifying would see the change in track configuration to Classico CCW and different names at the top for the entire duration of the session. A whole gamut of A Main Podium B-Main Winner Juan Ricart C-Main Winner Zach Francavilla Double Header Sept 29 R3 & R7