Majeski Magic at New Smyrna

By Rodney Meyering on November 15, 2016

photo Rodney Meyering

New Smyrna Beach, Fla. — Chamber of Commerce weather greeted fans and competitors to the 51^st running of the Governor’s Cup 200 at New Smyrna Speedway Sunday. A rare day race held annually at the fast half mile located 20 miles south of Daytona Beach. Thirty two drivers would start today’s big race.

Former World Series winner Zane Smith sets fast time and is DQ’d by Ricky Brooks, he starts at the tail end of the field, along with Stephen Nasse, who did not attempt a qualifying run, he had motor trouble and starts the race with a new power plant under the hood.

photo Rodney Meyering

Last year’s Cup winner Ty Majeski starts on the front row, next to Jeff Choquette, both drivers have been having great years, Majeski from Wisconsin and Choquette a Florida native. Brad May won a big race at New Smyrna this summer starts 3^rd, next to Cole Anderson, who won 2 races here in January. Anthony Cataldi, Augie Grill, and Steven Wallace round out the top 7 starting spots.

Jeff Choquette (9) and Ty Majeski – photo Rodney Meyering

Choquette gets the early lead over Majeski and starts lapping cars by lap 15. Nasse is working his way through the field, along with Zane Smith. Wallace and Grill having a great battle for fifth. Lots of great racing in the first 50 laps. Wallace gets past Grill, May and Cataldi, settling in behind Choquette and Majeski. Dalton Sargeant and Zane Smith both pull into the pits done for the day.

The second ¼ of the race see’s our first caution of the day. It’s a competition caution, thrown on lap 60. Majeski take the opportunity to pit. Choquette leads on the restart, Tyler Ankrum moves into second, Nasse into the top 5. Another caution before halfway as TJ Duke hits the turn 3 wall. Nasse looks fast and makes his way past Choquette as we approach the halfway mark. Nasse leads Wallace and Ankrum, Choquette falls to fourth.

Stephen Nasse – photo Rodney Meyering

As the second 100 laps begins, a fierce battle develops between Nasse and Wallace for the lead, Nasse keeps the advantage. Another competition caution on lap 130, everybody but the 97 of Cole Anderson pits. This competition caution is a great thing, allowing drivers to refuel and take tires under the caution flag, eliminating the cost of having to provide the personnel to do the job under green flag conditions. Nasse makes quick work of Anderson on the restart, Wallace and Ankrum follow, Andersons pulls into the pits. Choquette, May, Burton and Davis round out the top 7. Fifty laps to go, can anybody beat Nasse today?

photo Rodney Meyering

The last ¼ see’s Nasse continue to lead Wallace, Choquette and Ankrum. The battle heats up behind them, between May, Burton, Majeski and Davis. 25 to go and Majeski is up to fifth. Nasse only needs to hang on for 20 more laps. Ankrum, Choquette, and Majeski fighting hard for third, behind Wallace. A quick caution with 15 to go, Majeski gets past Wallace on the restart, does last year’s winner have anything for Nasse? Majeski is all over Nasse with 5 laps to go, they make contact, Majeski taking the lead. Wallace putting pressure on Nasse for second, Nasse spins down the front stretch. He manages to keep his car off the wall and will continue, albeit at the back of the pack. Wallace gets a penalty from track officials and will start at the back with Nasse.

TY MAJESKI – photo Rodney Meyering

Majeski takes off on the restart, over Choquette, Ankrum and Burton make contact, Burton and Good are out of the race, Ankrum penalized. Majeski easily hangs on for the win, over Choquette, Davis, May, and Rogers. Majeski take the trophy back to Wisconsin for the second year in a row.

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