Tyler Clabaugh Tames Talladega
Following a wild Green-White-Checkered finish at Michigan last race, Talladega Superspeedway loomed ahead of the GoPro National Series as they approach the halfway point of Season 5. With it being the first superspeedway race since the season-opening Daytona 60, the early favorites were Jonathan Smith and Allen DesRosiers.
Ryan Cooper and last week's winner John Williams led the field to the start of the race. Williams got the early push in the outside line, but Cooper would come back on the inside line. Cooper would hold off challenges from Meiling Li, Jamie Sorenson, and others to lead lap 1.
It would not take long before we would see the first caution of the race. Coming off of turn 4, Jerry Towns got squeezed down into Allen DesRosiers by Courtney Mays. This sent all three cars up the hill just a little bit. Towns clipped the left rear of Tessa Booker while Courtney Mays sent Daniel Ruppel into the outside wall. Towns would wind up spinning Booker around in front of the field, but no one would hit the 69 until Nick Dilbeck couldn't quite get through. Dilbeck hit the left front of Booker's spinning car. Dakota Caudill couldn't get slowed down behind Dilbeck and ran into the back of the 06 car. Booker's left rear came around and hit the right side of Caudill's car, sending the 60 out across the paved runoff at pit entrance. Caudill barely missed the inside pit wall as he slid past. Daniel Ruppel received no further damage as he got his 71 car slowed down to let Booker spin out of the way.
The second and final caution of the day came out at lap 14. Heading off into turn 1, John Williams' engine expired from the third position in turn 1. As Williams tried to work his slowing car to the apron of the track, the field had to check up behind him. This check up caused Darius Craig and Meiling Li to squeeze down into Jeremy Murray, sending all three cars back up the track off of turn 2. Murray came up and clipped the left rear of Ryan DeCosta, who in turn, hooked the right rear of Tim Kunkel's car. While that was going on, Meiling Li sent Darius Craig up the track and sandwiched Daniel Asher in the outside wall, collecting Jake Keel. After spinning Tim Kunkel, Ryan DeCosta clipped the left rear of Sean Bretherick's car before finding an escape route through the crash. This sent Bretherick's car into the outside wall before making contact with his teammate, Kunkel. Courtney Mays was collected after she ran into both Jake Keel and Darius Craig.
The rest of the race was spent avoiding slower, damaged cars while also going through a round of green flag pit stops. In the end, Tyler Clabaugh was able to get by Tim Johnston coming to get the white and held off the 83 for the victory in the Aaron's 57.
Next weekend the GoPro National Series heads overseas to Milan, Italy for the second running at Circuito d' Milano.
Ryan Cooper and last week's winner John Williams led the field to the start of the race. Williams got the early push in the outside line, but Cooper would come back on the inside line. Cooper would hold off challenges from Meiling Li, Jamie Sorenson, and others to lead lap 1.
It would not take long before we would see the first caution of the race. Coming off of turn 4, Jerry Towns got squeezed down into Allen DesRosiers by Courtney Mays. This sent all three cars up the hill just a little bit. Towns clipped the left rear of Tessa Booker while Courtney Mays sent Daniel Ruppel into the outside wall. Towns would wind up spinning Booker around in front of the field, but no one would hit the 69 until Nick Dilbeck couldn't quite get through. Dilbeck hit the left front of Booker's spinning car. Dakota Caudill couldn't get slowed down behind Dilbeck and ran into the back of the 06 car. Booker's left rear came around and hit the right side of Caudill's car, sending the 60 out across the paved runoff at pit entrance. Caudill barely missed the inside pit wall as he slid past. Daniel Ruppel received no further damage as he got his 71 car slowed down to let Booker spin out of the way.
The second and final caution of the day came out at lap 14. Heading off into turn 1, John Williams' engine expired from the third position in turn 1. As Williams tried to work his slowing car to the apron of the track, the field had to check up behind him. This check up caused Darius Craig and Meiling Li to squeeze down into Jeremy Murray, sending all three cars back up the track off of turn 2. Murray came up and clipped the left rear of Ryan DeCosta, who in turn, hooked the right rear of Tim Kunkel's car. While that was going on, Meiling Li sent Darius Craig up the track and sandwiched Daniel Asher in the outside wall, collecting Jake Keel. After spinning Tim Kunkel, Ryan DeCosta clipped the left rear of Sean Bretherick's car before finding an escape route through the crash. This sent Bretherick's car into the outside wall before making contact with his teammate, Kunkel. Courtney Mays was collected after she ran into both Jake Keel and Darius Craig.
The rest of the race was spent avoiding slower, damaged cars while also going through a round of green flag pit stops. In the end, Tyler Clabaugh was able to get by Tim Johnston coming to get the white and held off the 83 for the victory in the Aaron's 57.
Next weekend the GoPro National Series heads overseas to Milan, Italy for the second running at Circuito d' Milano.
John Williams Wins in GWC Photo Finish
After a two-week hiatus following Dover, the GoPro National Series returned to action at the Michigan International Speedway for the first time since Season 1. That memorable Season 1 race ended in a thrilling three wide photo finish, this Season 5 race proved to be hardly any different.
Daytona winner Jonathan Smith and Season 2 champion Jake Keel brought the field down to the green flag. Smith led the opening 4 laps before the caution flew for the first time on lap 4.
Four wide hardly works on almost any track the GoPro National Series visits, and Michigan is no exception. Tim Kunkel tagged the back of Chris Everett's car off of turn 2, which sent Everett down into point leader Chad Wright. Everett and Wright went back up the track and forced Courtney Mays into the wall. Chad Wright got loose off of contact with the 32 and the 38 after they bounced off the wall, the spun down in front of Kunkel. This started the process of blocking the track for those still behind the developing spin. Kunkel hooked Wright into Luke Stillman, spinning the 67 as well. Those 4 cars slid down the backstraight with no further contact until Tim Johnston couldn't get his car slowed down quick enough. Johnston ran into the back of Kunkel's car, sending the 2 spinning into the path of his teammate, Sean Bretherick. Bretherick drilled the left rear quarter panel of Kunkel's car, further sending the 2 spinning out across the paved runoff down the backstraight. This mess also collected Allen DesRosiers, who was right behind Bretherick when contact was made with Kunkel. Tyler Clabaugh and Brendan Wolkowicz also received damage as they picked their way through the crash. Both drivers ran into the back of Tim Johnston. Lance Vandervelde also received damage after slightly running into the back of Chris Everett.
Jonathan Smith got the race back going at lap 8, which set up a LONG green flag run that set up a round of green flag pit stops beginning at lap 45 of 60. Jamie Sorenson made the first move to pit road of the leaders after pretty well taking control of the race during this long green flag run. Sorenson cycled back around as the leader at the conclusion of green flag pit stops, and appeared to be in control of winning the race before the second caution flew at lap 52.
Chris Everett was once again collected in a spin in turns 3 and 4. Jerry Towns ran into the back of Tessa Booker in the middle of 3 and 4, sending Booker's car down the track. Booker ran into the side of Jake Keel before sliding sideways back up the track and into Chris Everett, sending his car sideways as well. Both cars backed into the outside wall, then proceeded to slide back down the track. Ryan DeCosta, Josh Hawkins, Tim Kunkel, Sean English, and Jordan Hawkeye were all collected in the process.
Jamie Sorenson came around as the leader under caution at lap 53. However, disaster would strike on lap 54. Sorenson came down pit road with a cut tire on the 27 car, effectively ending her chances at taking sole possession of the all-time wins list with five career wins.
This cut tire from Sorenson would turn the lead over to Kelly Lynscott. Lynscott was making her GoPro National Series debut for V2 Motorsports, where Allen and Cole DesRosiers both have raced for since the inaugural season. Lynscott took off on the following restart and looked as if she was going to go untouched to her first victory in the closing 10 laps before yet another caution flew while Lynscott was about 200 yards from taking the white and making the race official.
Coming off of turn 4 while the leaders were coming to get the white, Pascal Herbig turned the 85 of Matthew Adams. Herbig and Adams hooked together and went back up the track, collecting Chad Wright and Daniel Asher. John Gamboa also got a piece, but managed to save his way out of sliding down the track. Courtney Mays and Lance Vandervelde were also collected as those cars slid back down the track.
Kelly Lynscott brought the field back around the next lap to end the race's regulation period under caution, leading to a Green-White-Checkered finish, the first of Season 5.
Lynscott got the jump on the restart over Jay Lopez to turn 1. John Williams and Jonathan Smith got equally great restarts in the inside line along with Lynscott. Williams was able to dive to the inside of Lynscott in the middle of 1 and 2. Lynscott got good enough of a run down the back on the outside line to stay just the length of the nose ahead of John Williams. Jonathan Smith was pushing Williams down the back, which allowed Williams to stay even with the 24. Lynscott got the better run through 3 and 4, which allowed for just a little bit of breathing room as the field made its way back to the white flag. Williams remained alongside Lynscott, and actually led the lap and cleared the 24 down into turn 1. Lynscott was unable to charge back up alongside on the outside off of turn 2, so she pulled in line behind the 98. Lynscott pushed Williams off into turn 3 in hopes of his car sliding up the hill. When that move went to no avail, Lynscott had to take to the outside line herself to try to get by. By that time, Daniel Ruppel had locked onto the back bumper of the 98 off of turn 4. Williams blocked Lynscott's charge up the outside, but it allowed Daniel Ruppel a run at the win on the inside line. With drafting help from the 24, John Williams was barely able to edge out Daniel Ruppel for the win at Michigan.
While all of that was going on, Matthew Adams and Tyler Clabaugh spun off of turn 2 following contact with Pascal Herbig. Jamie Sorenson also got a piece of it.
The next race for the GoPro National Series will be this weekend at the Talladega Superspeedway for the Aaron's 57.
Daytona winner Jonathan Smith and Season 2 champion Jake Keel brought the field down to the green flag. Smith led the opening 4 laps before the caution flew for the first time on lap 4.
Four wide hardly works on almost any track the GoPro National Series visits, and Michigan is no exception. Tim Kunkel tagged the back of Chris Everett's car off of turn 2, which sent Everett down into point leader Chad Wright. Everett and Wright went back up the track and forced Courtney Mays into the wall. Chad Wright got loose off of contact with the 32 and the 38 after they bounced off the wall, the spun down in front of Kunkel. This started the process of blocking the track for those still behind the developing spin. Kunkel hooked Wright into Luke Stillman, spinning the 67 as well. Those 4 cars slid down the backstraight with no further contact until Tim Johnston couldn't get his car slowed down quick enough. Johnston ran into the back of Kunkel's car, sending the 2 spinning into the path of his teammate, Sean Bretherick. Bretherick drilled the left rear quarter panel of Kunkel's car, further sending the 2 spinning out across the paved runoff down the backstraight. This mess also collected Allen DesRosiers, who was right behind Bretherick when contact was made with Kunkel. Tyler Clabaugh and Brendan Wolkowicz also received damage as they picked their way through the crash. Both drivers ran into the back of Tim Johnston. Lance Vandervelde also received damage after slightly running into the back of Chris Everett.
Jonathan Smith got the race back going at lap 8, which set up a LONG green flag run that set up a round of green flag pit stops beginning at lap 45 of 60. Jamie Sorenson made the first move to pit road of the leaders after pretty well taking control of the race during this long green flag run. Sorenson cycled back around as the leader at the conclusion of green flag pit stops, and appeared to be in control of winning the race before the second caution flew at lap 52.
Chris Everett was once again collected in a spin in turns 3 and 4. Jerry Towns ran into the back of Tessa Booker in the middle of 3 and 4, sending Booker's car down the track. Booker ran into the side of Jake Keel before sliding sideways back up the track and into Chris Everett, sending his car sideways as well. Both cars backed into the outside wall, then proceeded to slide back down the track. Ryan DeCosta, Josh Hawkins, Tim Kunkel, Sean English, and Jordan Hawkeye were all collected in the process.
Jamie Sorenson came around as the leader under caution at lap 53. However, disaster would strike on lap 54. Sorenson came down pit road with a cut tire on the 27 car, effectively ending her chances at taking sole possession of the all-time wins list with five career wins.
This cut tire from Sorenson would turn the lead over to Kelly Lynscott. Lynscott was making her GoPro National Series debut for V2 Motorsports, where Allen and Cole DesRosiers both have raced for since the inaugural season. Lynscott took off on the following restart and looked as if she was going to go untouched to her first victory in the closing 10 laps before yet another caution flew while Lynscott was about 200 yards from taking the white and making the race official.
Coming off of turn 4 while the leaders were coming to get the white, Pascal Herbig turned the 85 of Matthew Adams. Herbig and Adams hooked together and went back up the track, collecting Chad Wright and Daniel Asher. John Gamboa also got a piece, but managed to save his way out of sliding down the track. Courtney Mays and Lance Vandervelde were also collected as those cars slid back down the track.
Kelly Lynscott brought the field back around the next lap to end the race's regulation period under caution, leading to a Green-White-Checkered finish, the first of Season 5.
Lynscott got the jump on the restart over Jay Lopez to turn 1. John Williams and Jonathan Smith got equally great restarts in the inside line along with Lynscott. Williams was able to dive to the inside of Lynscott in the middle of 1 and 2. Lynscott got good enough of a run down the back on the outside line to stay just the length of the nose ahead of John Williams. Jonathan Smith was pushing Williams down the back, which allowed Williams to stay even with the 24. Lynscott got the better run through 3 and 4, which allowed for just a little bit of breathing room as the field made its way back to the white flag. Williams remained alongside Lynscott, and actually led the lap and cleared the 24 down into turn 1. Lynscott was unable to charge back up alongside on the outside off of turn 2, so she pulled in line behind the 98. Lynscott pushed Williams off into turn 3 in hopes of his car sliding up the hill. When that move went to no avail, Lynscott had to take to the outside line herself to try to get by. By that time, Daniel Ruppel had locked onto the back bumper of the 98 off of turn 4. Williams blocked Lynscott's charge up the outside, but it allowed Daniel Ruppel a run at the win on the inside line. With drafting help from the 24, John Williams was barely able to edge out Daniel Ruppel for the win at Michigan.
While all of that was going on, Matthew Adams and Tyler Clabaugh spun off of turn 2 following contact with Pascal Herbig. Jamie Sorenson also got a piece of it.
The next race for the GoPro National Series will be this weekend at the Talladega Superspeedway for the Aaron's 57.
Courtney Mays Capitalizes on Miscue, Wins at Martinsville
The third race of the season has a special importance unlike the other two previous races. The third race of the season marks the final race in which preseason seeds determine entries in the GoPro Lite Series. From next weekend's race at Lime Rock Park onward, the GoPro Lite Series entries will be determined by the current season's point standings. With that being said, those that are just inside the top 35 or sitting outside the top 35 in the point standings were under extra pressure to have a great run to secure a spot in next weekend's race at Lime Rock Park.
John Gamboa brought the field down to get the race started, but a poor start allowed outside polesitter Josh Hawkins to win the drag race to turn 1 and get down into the very important inside line. Hawkins led the opening 77 laps before a camshaft failure sent him to the garage with a 40th place finish.
The caution flag flew 9 times for 45 of the 150 laps run at Martinsville. Most all of the cautions that flew was a result of one driver diving off into the corner too fast and running into the back of the car in front of them, spinning the car in front out. Chris Everett, Chris Davis, Cole DesRosiers, Jay Lopez, and Dakota Caudill, among others, found themselves sitting on the track facing the opposite direction.
JJ Jordan took over the lead after Josh Hawkins went to the garage with his camshaft failure. Jordan led the next 6 laps before being caught up in lapped traffic and allowing eventual winner Courtney Mays to get by. Mays led the closing 67 laps to take the victory.
Getting the win was not necessarily easy, though. Mays had to overcome several restarts, including one with 10 laps to go, to take the checkered flag.
Mays picked up her first career points-paying win with the victory. Mays went to victory lane last season in the GoPro All-Star Shootout at the Charlotte Motor Speedway. Mays has been in the series for every season except for Season 3.
The next race for the GoPro National Series will be the first of four road course races this season at the Lime Rock Park road course. Todd James comes in as the past champion of the event.
John Gamboa brought the field down to get the race started, but a poor start allowed outside polesitter Josh Hawkins to win the drag race to turn 1 and get down into the very important inside line. Hawkins led the opening 77 laps before a camshaft failure sent him to the garage with a 40th place finish.
The caution flag flew 9 times for 45 of the 150 laps run at Martinsville. Most all of the cautions that flew was a result of one driver diving off into the corner too fast and running into the back of the car in front of them, spinning the car in front out. Chris Everett, Chris Davis, Cole DesRosiers, Jay Lopez, and Dakota Caudill, among others, found themselves sitting on the track facing the opposite direction.
JJ Jordan took over the lead after Josh Hawkins went to the garage with his camshaft failure. Jordan led the next 6 laps before being caught up in lapped traffic and allowing eventual winner Courtney Mays to get by. Mays led the closing 67 laps to take the victory.
Getting the win was not necessarily easy, though. Mays had to overcome several restarts, including one with 10 laps to go, to take the checkered flag.
Mays picked up her first career points-paying win with the victory. Mays went to victory lane last season in the GoPro All-Star Shootout at the Charlotte Motor Speedway. Mays has been in the series for every season except for Season 3.
The next race for the GoPro National Series will be the first of four road course races this season at the Lime Rock Park road course. Todd James comes in as the past champion of the event.
Chatbox Racing League/GoPro Announce GoPro ARCA Series
Below is the official transcript from the media center at the Kentucky Speedway discussing the announcement of the GoPro ARCA Series.
Officials, media members, drivers, and fans gathered for a major announcement regarding the future of the GoPro National Series. The GoPro National Series is a popular series, which means a lot of drivers are left on the outside looking in on race day, and rookies are often left fighting their way into the race. Because of this, we have announced a developmental series based off the ARCA Racing Series that will run in the offseason of the GoPro National Series. Below is a brief recap of everything said in the announcement.
-20 race season spanning to 5 types of tracks (Super Speedways, Speedways, Short Tracks, Road Courses, Dirt Tracks).
-Unlimited entries, field number varies by track. Will hover around 25-35 entries, with 42 for certain tracks, and 20 for dirt tracks (qualify through heats).
-All GoPro National Series drivers with less than 8 starts are qualified for the series, and all rookies outside the top 35 at seasons end are permitted entry. No drivers in the top 35 are permitted entry.
-Current GoPro National Series teams who enters GoPro ARCA Series have first dibs on their numbers they use in the GoPro National Series.
-In accordance with the GoPro National Series, all rookie drivers in 2015 are REQUIRED to make AT LEAST one ARCA start before being granted entry.
More information will be added as we continue the GoPro National Series season.
Officials, media members, drivers, and fans gathered for a major announcement regarding the future of the GoPro National Series. The GoPro National Series is a popular series, which means a lot of drivers are left on the outside looking in on race day, and rookies are often left fighting their way into the race. Because of this, we have announced a developmental series based off the ARCA Racing Series that will run in the offseason of the GoPro National Series. Below is a brief recap of everything said in the announcement.
-20 race season spanning to 5 types of tracks (Super Speedways, Speedways, Short Tracks, Road Courses, Dirt Tracks).
-Unlimited entries, field number varies by track. Will hover around 25-35 entries, with 42 for certain tracks, and 20 for dirt tracks (qualify through heats).
-All GoPro National Series drivers with less than 8 starts are qualified for the series, and all rookies outside the top 35 at seasons end are permitted entry. No drivers in the top 35 are permitted entry.
-Current GoPro National Series teams who enters GoPro ARCA Series have first dibs on their numbers they use in the GoPro National Series.
-In accordance with the GoPro National Series, all rookie drivers in 2015 are REQUIRED to make AT LEAST one ARCA start before being granted entry.
More information will be added as we continue the GoPro National Series season.
Asher's Car Confiscated by Series Officials after Kentucky Win
Shortly after winning the Quaker State 81 at Kentucky, series officials confiscated Daniel Asher's race-winning car for investigation of a possible horsepower-enhancing device.
Asher cracked a joke in his post-race interview saying that the crew attached a nitrous oxide bottle to the car during the pit stop under the caution at lap 34. This statement would have most likely been overlooked had it not been for Asher Racing teammate Jonathan Smith being spotted lying down on the ground behind Daniel Asher's car and appearing to remove something from the back of the car.
It was after that action that sparked suspicion in series officials, so they promptly removed Asher's car from the victory lane celebrations and took it to the inspection area for a closer look.
A report later came out that Smith had dropped his bottle of Coca-Cola while leaving victory lane, and it had rolled under the car. There was also a report that the Styx hit song "Renegade" could be heard blaring from Smith's motorcoach, but it is still unknown if that was in connection to the incident that took place in victory lane.
An official report came from series officials that they had located an area of suspicion on the car, but would not specifically say what. Asher's car was then loaded into a series hauler to be taken to the R&D Center for further evaluation.
Series officials announced Tuesday afternoon that they had discovered an area under Asher's car where some foreign object may have been attached to Asher's car and was later detached. However, there was not enough indisputable evidence that supports that something was in fact attached to Asher's car that was put there to get an unfair advantage.
Asher Racing has been cleared of any possible violations and penalties, and will be able to keep the win and the points.
Asher Racing has yet to release an official statement on the matter.
Asher cracked a joke in his post-race interview saying that the crew attached a nitrous oxide bottle to the car during the pit stop under the caution at lap 34. This statement would have most likely been overlooked had it not been for Asher Racing teammate Jonathan Smith being spotted lying down on the ground behind Daniel Asher's car and appearing to remove something from the back of the car.
It was after that action that sparked suspicion in series officials, so they promptly removed Asher's car from the victory lane celebrations and took it to the inspection area for a closer look.
A report later came out that Smith had dropped his bottle of Coca-Cola while leaving victory lane, and it had rolled under the car. There was also a report that the Styx hit song "Renegade" could be heard blaring from Smith's motorcoach, but it is still unknown if that was in connection to the incident that took place in victory lane.
An official report came from series officials that they had located an area of suspicion on the car, but would not specifically say what. Asher's car was then loaded into a series hauler to be taken to the R&D Center for further evaluation.
Series officials announced Tuesday afternoon that they had discovered an area under Asher's car where some foreign object may have been attached to Asher's car and was later detached. However, there was not enough indisputable evidence that supports that something was in fact attached to Asher's car that was put there to get an unfair advantage.
Asher Racing has been cleared of any possible violations and penalties, and will be able to keep the win and the points.
Asher Racing has yet to release an official statement on the matter.
Daniel Asher Makes Second-Half Charge, Wins at Kentucky
For most teams "the real season starts today" was the main phrase being tossed around in the garage for those that were caught up in mishaps in the season opener at Daytona. The more spread-out racing was quite a warm welcome to those that brought back torn up cars from Daytona. Finally a chance to really show what their team is made of, and not have as much of a chance of tearing something up. The more tame racing you would come to expect at tracks like Kentucky was exactly what we saw this weekend. Only one caution flew for the entire 81-lap race.
We said the Daytona 60 was a great place for rookies and first-timers to make some noise... Apparently qualifying at Kentucky also falls into that category. Both Dan Foray and Samantha Everson were making their GoPro National Series debuts--and they both started on the front row. Foray spent the entire race inside the top 5 while Everson's car in race-trim wasn't quite as sporty as it was in qualifying.
Dan Foray jumped ahead of everyone else at the drop of the green flag, and it looked like no one would be able to touch that 96 car. Foray held off challenges from some of the veterans in the series, and it looked like he was on a quest to lead all 81 laps. A caution just before halfway changed all of that, though.
As we've seen several times in past races at Kentucky, the outside line is the most efficient place to make a pass on someone. However, with the guy having such a run on the outside, sometimes the driver running on the bottom will slide up the track and into the guy with a charge on the outside. Needless to say, this never ends well. This happened to Season 2 champion and Season 4 Chaser Cole DesRosiers. DesRosiers came off turn two with a head of steam when Keel slid up the track and into the 23 car. Both cars hit the outside wall before sliding down the track. JJ Jordan was left with nowhere to go, and he ran right into the left side of the sliding 23 car. All three cars hit the inside wall before continuing on. Keel and DesRosiers stayed on the lead lap while JJ Jordan fell to the tail end of the lead lap and was immediately lapped at the restart.
Two other drivers, John Williams and Jay Lopez, ran into problems of their own without bringing out a caution. Williams had a header issue that ended his day early while Lopez had a broken piston. These are the first two engine failures of the season.
At the restart, Dan Foray's pit crew had gotten him back out in the lead. Daniel Asher came in the pits 17th and left in 11th. As the run went on, Asher's car continued to get better and better. He quickly cut his way from 11th to inside the top five within a stretch of roughly 15 laps. Finally right after halfway, Asher got the run to the outside of Foray through turns three and four to clear the 96 by the time they got to turn 1. Asher opened up his lead to over three seconds when the checkered flag flew after not having too much of a problem lapping DesRosiers and Keel, and lapping Jordan a second time.
This win marks Asher Racing's second consecutive win this season after teammate Jonathan Smith won the season-opener at Daytona. It is Asher's third career GoPro National Series victory, tying him for second on the all-time wins list. Asher also went to victory lane this season in his GoPro or GoHome Qualifying race.
The next stop for the GoPro National Series will be in Martinsville, Virginia at the Martinsville Speedway.
We said the Daytona 60 was a great place for rookies and first-timers to make some noise... Apparently qualifying at Kentucky also falls into that category. Both Dan Foray and Samantha Everson were making their GoPro National Series debuts--and they both started on the front row. Foray spent the entire race inside the top 5 while Everson's car in race-trim wasn't quite as sporty as it was in qualifying.
Dan Foray jumped ahead of everyone else at the drop of the green flag, and it looked like no one would be able to touch that 96 car. Foray held off challenges from some of the veterans in the series, and it looked like he was on a quest to lead all 81 laps. A caution just before halfway changed all of that, though.
As we've seen several times in past races at Kentucky, the outside line is the most efficient place to make a pass on someone. However, with the guy having such a run on the outside, sometimes the driver running on the bottom will slide up the track and into the guy with a charge on the outside. Needless to say, this never ends well. This happened to Season 2 champion and Season 4 Chaser Cole DesRosiers. DesRosiers came off turn two with a head of steam when Keel slid up the track and into the 23 car. Both cars hit the outside wall before sliding down the track. JJ Jordan was left with nowhere to go, and he ran right into the left side of the sliding 23 car. All three cars hit the inside wall before continuing on. Keel and DesRosiers stayed on the lead lap while JJ Jordan fell to the tail end of the lead lap and was immediately lapped at the restart.
Two other drivers, John Williams and Jay Lopez, ran into problems of their own without bringing out a caution. Williams had a header issue that ended his day early while Lopez had a broken piston. These are the first two engine failures of the season.
At the restart, Dan Foray's pit crew had gotten him back out in the lead. Daniel Asher came in the pits 17th and left in 11th. As the run went on, Asher's car continued to get better and better. He quickly cut his way from 11th to inside the top five within a stretch of roughly 15 laps. Finally right after halfway, Asher got the run to the outside of Foray through turns three and four to clear the 96 by the time they got to turn 1. Asher opened up his lead to over three seconds when the checkered flag flew after not having too much of a problem lapping DesRosiers and Keel, and lapping Jordan a second time.
This win marks Asher Racing's second consecutive win this season after teammate Jonathan Smith won the season-opener at Daytona. It is Asher's third career GoPro National Series victory, tying him for second on the all-time wins list. Asher also went to victory lane this season in his GoPro or GoHome Qualifying race.
The next stop for the GoPro National Series will be in Martinsville, Virginia at the Martinsville Speedway.
Press Conference Announced to be Held After Kentucky
Series officials have announced a change coming to "a CRL GoPro-sanctioned" series. But hasn't specified which one. Series officials have said that the GoPro Lite Series and the GoPro National Series will not be going away, but a change was being made. A full announcement is scheduled to be made at the conclusion of the Quaker State 81 at Kentucky Speedway this weekend.
Jonathan Smith Holds Off Allen DesRosiers, Wins Daytona 60
As most superspeedways are, to finish first-you must first finish. This was certainly the case this weekend as the GoPro National Series opened up it's fifth season once again at the Daytona International Speedway. The field was filled with both well-known veterans and rookies looking to make a name for themselves. This race has been rather kind to rookies, as all four previous winners of this event also picked up their first career wins.
Nick Dilbeck and Chris Davis brought the field to the green flag. Both drivers stayed out of serious trouble in their qualifying races, so they were able to keep their front row positions. Cautions slowed the field three times during the 60-lap distance of the race. Each one took more and more contenders out of the running for the win.
The first caution happened coming off of turn 2 when Daniel Ruppel turned outside polesitter Chris Davis around. Jerry Towns, Courtney Mays, and Tyler Clabaugh all piled in up against the turn 2 wall.
The second caution was much more devastating to the field. Four wide at Daytona usually never works, and this one was no exception. Matthew Davignon sent the #78 of Danielle Myers around in the tri-oval, all but blocking the race track. John Williams wound up on his roof while contenders such as Tim Kunkel, Ryan DeCosta, John Gamboa, Daniel Asher, and others were all wiped out.
The result of the second caution was a racing field essentially cut in half, with the lead pack of cars frequently getting broken up by slower damaged cars. These slower cars triggered the third and final caution of the night. Chad Wright had to slow for the slower car of Tim Kunkel, which allowed Lance Vandervelde and Allen DesRosiers to quickly close the gap on the 81. Vandervelde wound up hooking Wright as those three tried to make a dive for the bottom to get by Kunkel. DesRosiers hooked the back of the 99 right as Vandervelde hooked the back of the 81. Vandervelde went spinning back up the track as Wright and DesRosiers were able to save their cars. Vandervelde backed it into the turn 4 wall before sliding back down onto the track and onto the apron. Polesitter Nick Dilbeck had already committed to the bottom by the time he got to Vandervelde's car, and he wound up drilling the stopped 99 car.
The race to the finish was certainly a fun one to watch when slower cars were not in the way. Unfortunately that was the case as Allen DesRosiers, who was looking for his second straight Daytona 60 victory, and Jonathan Smith, a rookie in the series, encountered the slower cars of Tim Johnston and Tim Kunkel running side by side. Smith picked Johnston while DesRosiers picked Kunkel. Johnston was the quicker of the two slower cars, and allowed Jonathan Smith to pick up his first career victory in his first career GPNS start. Allen DesRosiers in Season 4 has been the only driver to win the Daytona 60 with more than one start. Smith joined Jamie Sorenson, Tim Kunkel, and the now retired David Calhoun as the fourth winner of the race in their first GPNS start.
Nick Dilbeck and Chris Davis brought the field to the green flag. Both drivers stayed out of serious trouble in their qualifying races, so they were able to keep their front row positions. Cautions slowed the field three times during the 60-lap distance of the race. Each one took more and more contenders out of the running for the win.
The first caution happened coming off of turn 2 when Daniel Ruppel turned outside polesitter Chris Davis around. Jerry Towns, Courtney Mays, and Tyler Clabaugh all piled in up against the turn 2 wall.
The second caution was much more devastating to the field. Four wide at Daytona usually never works, and this one was no exception. Matthew Davignon sent the #78 of Danielle Myers around in the tri-oval, all but blocking the race track. John Williams wound up on his roof while contenders such as Tim Kunkel, Ryan DeCosta, John Gamboa, Daniel Asher, and others were all wiped out.
The result of the second caution was a racing field essentially cut in half, with the lead pack of cars frequently getting broken up by slower damaged cars. These slower cars triggered the third and final caution of the night. Chad Wright had to slow for the slower car of Tim Kunkel, which allowed Lance Vandervelde and Allen DesRosiers to quickly close the gap on the 81. Vandervelde wound up hooking Wright as those three tried to make a dive for the bottom to get by Kunkel. DesRosiers hooked the back of the 99 right as Vandervelde hooked the back of the 81. Vandervelde went spinning back up the track as Wright and DesRosiers were able to save their cars. Vandervelde backed it into the turn 4 wall before sliding back down onto the track and onto the apron. Polesitter Nick Dilbeck had already committed to the bottom by the time he got to Vandervelde's car, and he wound up drilling the stopped 99 car.
The race to the finish was certainly a fun one to watch when slower cars were not in the way. Unfortunately that was the case as Allen DesRosiers, who was looking for his second straight Daytona 60 victory, and Jonathan Smith, a rookie in the series, encountered the slower cars of Tim Johnston and Tim Kunkel running side by side. Smith picked Johnston while DesRosiers picked Kunkel. Johnston was the quicker of the two slower cars, and allowed Jonathan Smith to pick up his first career victory in his first career GPNS start. Allen DesRosiers in Season 4 has been the only driver to win the Daytona 60 with more than one start. Smith joined Jamie Sorenson, Tim Kunkel, and the now retired David Calhoun as the fourth winner of the race in their first GPNS start.