By Dane Simpson
Premier Series
The final race of the regular season was the final chance to make it into those top 12 spots. The format for the night would let drivers climb the ladder and truly earn their way into the final show for the night. While a win for 7 or 8 drivers outside of the top 12 would have punched their ticket, it was Kevin Foster #8 who would battle to the front of the feature. A strong showing by the Developmental series drivers (and graduates) showed that the future of the Premier Series can only be bright, as Marc Gonzales #88, Thaddeus Marshall #89 and Ricky Gonzales #7 all finished in the top 10. The trucks always provide an excellent opportunity for a bit of rough housing and this one was no exception. The race for the final spot in round 1 of the championship would end in unclimactic fashion as Dane Simpson #96 would end the regular season a handful of points ahead of Paul Butler #77 who was unable to make the final race. Next week the Core Premier Series serves up a anything but pint-sized action, as they take the Dirt Midgets to The Chili Bowl.
Foster finally breaks through for his first season 6 win
GT3 Series
The next bus stop on the GT3 season brought the driver to the high banks and rolling infield of the Charlotte “Roval”. Polesitters Nick Nickerson #2 (Pro) and Adam Jones #46 (Am) would both dominate their classes leading every lap. Usual front runners Mason Smith #6 (Pro) Carl Handwerk #18 (Pro) and Thaddeus Marshall #89 (Am) would have trouble find them, finishing 5th, 6th and 9th in their respective divisions. After two races Nickerson leads Handwerk by 62 points in the Pro division, while in the Amateur division Nick Brown #92 leads Alex Cornfield #59 by only 11 points. Next week the series heads to the rhythmic flowing circuit of Zandvoort.
Nickerson dominates for the win
Jones finds victory lane at Charlotte
Developmental Series
The D-Series is often a mish mash of drivers all on the same track, veterans of the series, the drivers making a play for the championship, drivers who love that weeks race and sometimes special guests. This week the Developmental Series welcomed back Sean Goodwin #66 for a lesson in handling the Ford Spec Racer. Abhi Visuvasam #008 gave an excellent effort, leading 27 of the 40 laps but would settle for 3rd place behind Goodwin and Dylan Wilbers #16. Brian Shepherd Jr #012 and Marc Lapierre #08 both found themselves outside of the top 5 when the checkers fell, letting Wilbers create a 24 point lead in the points after 4 races.
Wilbers misses the win but extends his points lead
