Kuzma Returns To Victory Lane!!!
The drivers of the SFRL SK Modified division rolled into Southern National Motorsports Park for week #5 of the Fall Brawl series for 2016. Happy Hour saw several drivers pit in extended runs anticipating long green flag segments during the race. At the end of the session Charlie Kuzma posted the fastest time with a lap of 13.575 while Eric Nordhoff was 2nd quick with a lap of 13.607. Qualifying would follow and once again Kuzma was on top of the sheet with his #113 posting a lap of 13.591 while TJ Christ was close behind with a speed of 13.718. Field inversion for this season would mean first week starter Dean Viney would be on pole with his #071 with Mark Koschik on the outside.
As the green flag waved over the field Viney would jump out front and take command of the race, Daryl Tiezzi would move from his 3rd starting position to Viney's bumper. On lap 6 Tiezzi would make a nice move to claim the lead of the race dropping Viney to 3rd as Christ was able to quickly most past as well. On lap 10 Christ was able to over power Tiezzi to take the lead of the event. On lap 14 the first caution of the night would fly as contact between Viney made contact with the #44 of last weeks winner Jay Harned and went for a spin. On the restart Christ would lead Kuzma to the green and hold onto the lead until lap 40 when Kuzma was able to get underneath the #55 machine. The lead was short lived as the caution again flew over the field as the battle for 4th place boiled over when Michael Allen brushed the wall and into the path of defending champion Clifton Cockrell. Neither suffered more than cosmetic damage and continued on in the race. Under the yellow condition Kuzma made a surprise move and hit pit road for attention.
The green flag flew briefly before the yellow was again displayed after contact between Harned and the #85 of Trevor Malone, Christ and the rest of the leaders took this opportunity to get fresh tires and adjustments. Kuzma lead the field to green and it got exciting quickly as Harned made a quick move to the inside of Kuzma and forced a quick 3 wide situation before Koschik gave way and allowed the leaders to sort out and find their pace. Kuzma was able to hold his position as the leader while Harned and Christ renewed their battle from last week with Harned again getting the best of Christ by making the pass for 2nd on lap 101 after a spirited battle that Trevor Malone had a front row seat for. As exciting as the battle for 2nd was Kuzma would not be challenged as he cruised to the win.
1. #113 Charlie Kuzma
2. #44 Jay Harned
3. #55 TJ Christ
4. #59 Michael Allen
5. #29 Clifton Cockrell
