Champions Crowned after 9 Nights of Racing at New Smyrna

By Rodney Meyering on February 22, 2015

Spencer Davis (129) Zane Smith (77) and Bobby Good [27] (photo by Rodney Meyering / RSEN)

Daniel Keene Jr. led the field to green after an invert of 8, putting fast time setter, Anthony Sergi to start 8^th. Outside polesitter Drew Brannon gets the early lead as Keene slides to third, Burton moving to second. The field is single file, back to 7^th, where 10^th place starter Christopher Bell battles Garrett Jones. Burton is reeling in Brannon, but he doesn’t have to worry, as Brannon is black flagged, his exhaust is coming loose and dragging on the track. Before Brannon goes to the pits, he slides up the track in an apparent attempt to fix his car, causing our first caution.

TJ Duke [28] and Drew Brannon [08] (photo by Rodney Meyering / RSEN)

TJ Duke [28] and Rico Abreu [24] (photo by Rodney Meyering / RSEN)

On the restart it’s Burton, Keene, Davis, Smith, Sergi, and Bell. Burton gets away clean, Bell, Davis, and Smith battle hard for third. The first quarter of the race is over and it’s a freight train through the top 10. The second quarter starts with David Rogers spinning from mid field into the outside turn 4 wall. The previous Speedweeks champion has had a long week, multiple crashes and zero wins. Burton continues to lead on the restart, Bell moving up to challenge Keene for second. Bell clears Keene, Sergi gets into Keene, spinning the red number 5. Keene’s car is spitting sparks as Sergi is black flagged for causing the contact.

Harrison Burton [12] outside Daniel Keene (photo by Rodney Meyering / RSEN)

As we approach half way, Burton chooses the outside over Bell, and gets the jump. Davis, Good and Smith round out the top 5. Garrett Jones is making progress, he passes Labbe for 6^th as Smith attacks Good, it’s a three way battle for 4^th. Burton and Bell are getting away from the field as Rico Abreu is sent to the rear for causing a yellow looping Denver Foran. Multiple cautions mar the third quarter of the race, involving the cars of Chuck Tuck, Josh Collins, Anthony Sergi, Michael Good, and Kyle McCallum. Twenty five laps to go and it’s Bell all over Burton for the lead on the restart, Smith, Davis and Jones battle for third. Bell gets under Burton and makes the pass low in turn 1. Bell pulls away from Burton but will have to hold him off on a restart as we see another caution as Claire Decker spins down the front stretch. Burton has nothing for Bell and settles into second with 10 laps to go, over Davis, Smith and Jones. Steve Wallace makes a late charge into the top ten, he makes it all the way to sixth at the end. Bell drives away from Burton, winning by 5 car lengths.