Thunder Valley belonged to Loud Pedal Motorsports last Tuesday night. In a double-header that put a premium on pit strategy, the #70 and #55 crews executed to perfection, taking two different paths but ending up in the same place — Victory Lane.
RACE 1 RECAP:
Scott Eckrich started Race 1 from pole, circling Bristol Motor Speedway four times at an average pace of 14.756 seconds. While 11 cautions slowed the field and provided ample opportunity to take fresh tires, Eckrich left that door open while shutting out his competition. One of just four drivers who stayed out the entire race, Eckrich managed his rubber, set his personal best time on lap 93, and was ahead when the final yellow flew. Ricky Hardin finished second, while Michael Chrobok, who took over the points lead, rounded out the podium.
RACE 2 RECAP:
Brian Greenlee inherited the pole position and led the first 11 circuits. The driver of the #38 was heard saying over the radio, “I’m having a pretty good time. I should lead more often.” Colton Salek, fresh off of an eNASCAR College Series race, then took over the top spot before deciding to pit on lap 47. Salek’s decision to take tires at the halfway point cycled the lead over to Brian Yaczik, who had committed to a strategy of being the first to pit last, stopping on lap 27. Salek’s fresher tires were not enough to overcome the track position of Yaczik’s #55. Brian Yaczik scored his first win of Season 6, with Salek settling for second, and Ryan Zima finishing third.
POINTS IMPLICATIONS:
Michael Chrobok took over the points lead, sitting a whopping 194 points ahead of Brian Yaczik. Fans of PGRL know the advantage will probably be short-lived, though, as Chrobok can’t seem to close out a race or a season.
AROUND THE TURN:
PGRL heads to Watkins Glen International for the No Time for Bus Stops at The Glen presented by Wrong Time Watch on October 24th. Catch all the action from the Finger Lakes region on the Virtual Grip Network LIVE at 8:50pm Eastern.
FULL RACE REPLAY: