Cockrell Takes The Victory!!!

The drivers of the SK Modified division for the SFRL Southern National Track Championship rolled into action for week 9 of the winter series. Charlie Kuzma has a commanding points lead and looked to lock up the title with a strong run. He topped the time sheet in Happy Hour with a time of 13.531 while Eric Nordhoff managed a 2nd best time of 13.548. Qualifying saw Kuzma back up his time with a 13.542 while Jay Harned put his #44 2nd best with a nice lap of 13.570.

Based on field inversion TJ Christ led the field to green with Mark Koschik on his outside. Christ quickly put his #55 out front and set sail while Clifton Cockrell moved his #29 machine into the 2nd spot. On lap 16 Harned and Kuzma were able to get by Cockrell and move up to 2nd and 3rd in the running order while Cockrell got his rhythm back and held on inside the top 5. On lap #52 Nordhoff was able to move around Kuzma for the 3rd position but shortly after the handle began to go away on the #22 and Kuzma was able to retake the position on lap 74. The handle would go away completely on lap 82 as the #22 spun off of turn 2 and brought out the first yellow of the night. All the leaders would pit for tires and adjustments.

Lap 89 saw the green flag again wave over the field as Harned and Cockrell led the field. Cockrell made a strong move to hold steady on the outside but in the end it was not enough as Harned established himself as the leader and Kuzma was able to gain the 2nd spot. Christ who had been quiet most of the night began making a climb to the front and on lap 98 was able to complete the pass for 2nd around Kuzma and set his sights on Harned for the lead. Little by little Christ chipped into the lead and on lap 111 Harned made a small mistake and tagged the wall allowing Christ to make a move on the outside but the move did not stick and Christ spun and brought out the yellow.

The green flag would fly again on lap 118 with Harned and Cockrell out front and Kuzma in 3rd. It would not take Kuzma long to pounce and take over the 2nd position and take a look at the #44 for the lead. He tracked down Harned and took a look at the lead but on lap 121 the 2 made contact. Harned fought the car forever but it finally won the war and came around on him and brought out the yellow with Kuzma out front. In a sign of sportsmanship Kuzma brought his #113 to pit road for a self imposed stop and go penalty for the contact. When the checkered flag flew it was Clifton Cockrell out front and picking up his 1st win of the season!

1. #29 Clifton Cockrell

2. #44 Jay Harned

3. #33 Mark Koschik

4. #113 Charlie Kuzma

5. #22 Eric Nordhoff