Kuzma and Christ Go At It On Last Few Laps!!!

Week #3 of the Southern National Track Championship arrived Friday evening with TJ Christ looking to make it 2 wins in a row, Charlie Kuzma looking to rebound from last weeks bad luck and the rest of the field looking for redemption. Sure Fire Racing League is happy to welcome 2 new drivers tonight - Adam Mattox and Logan Runyon. Runyon would quickly establish himself as a force by setting fast time in Happy Hour with a blistering time of 13.396 with Kuzma posting the 2nd fastest time, a lap of 13.493. Qualifying saw Kuzma put his #113 on top of the board with a lap of 13.517 and Daryl Tiezzi would Q P2 with a lap of 13.529.

Based on full field inversion after qualifying the #807 of Logan Runyon led the field to green and took the early lead while series veteran Michael Allen settled into 2nd. The first yellow of the night waved of lap #29 as Mattox spun his #806 machine but locked it down before doing major damage against the inside wall. A few drivers took the opportunity to make adjustments and grab fresh tires. The restart saw Runyon and Allen still showing the way. Lap 36 almost spelled disaster for Kuzma as he bounced off the wall trying to work traffic but no major damage was done. The caution flew again on lap 46 as Tiezzi got loose off of turn #2 and collected Mattox, both cars would continue however.

Christ was able to pick his way through the field and lined up 3rd on the restart. Again Runyon got the jump and took command of the field while Christ went to work on Allen for 2nd. On lap 57 Christ got under Allen ad perhaps very slight contact was made but the #59 went around and the field was again under caution. On lap 63 the green flag waved again and it appeared Runyon missed the shift as Christ launched into the lead on the high side. 2 laps later Runyon got loose off of turn #2 and caused the field to scatter behind him. Former series champion Jay Harned made a quick move to the outside while Allen dove low. Runyon barely clipped Allen who then slid up the track and hit Harned who surely thought he was safe. Minimal damage was done to the #44 machine. Tiezzi did a masterful job of picking his way through the debris in his #16 machine.

The final restart would set up an amazing battle to the finish between Christ and Kuzma. Christ took control of the restart but on lap 88 he slipped and opened the door for Kuzma to take the lead. Kuzma built a lead but Christ would not give up the fight. On lap 100 Kuzma slipped and allowed Christ to reassume the lead. Before he could get in sync it was role reversal as the #55 slipped up the track allowing Kuzma to take point. As before Christ would not give up the fight and took the lead back on lap 106. Christ would continue to lead with Kuzma on his bumper applying tremendous pressure. On lap 124 Kuzma put his left side tires on the apron to get under Christ and slight contact was made sending the #55 sideways, Christ saved the car but all momentum was lost and Kuzma sailed on to the checkers claiming a hard fought victory.

1. #113 Charlie Kuzma

2. #55 TJ Christ

3. #44 Jay Harned

4. #807 Logan Runyon

5. #59 Michael Allen