Braselton, GA (January 31, 2010) - Kyle Busch led 214 laps as he dominated the Sixth Annual Speedfest Sunday afternoon at Lanier national Speedway, winning by nearly a second over second place Steven Wallace in a star filled lineup that included Chase Elliott, Ryan Blaney, Jason Hogan, Jeff Fultz, Bubba Pollard and Johnny VanDoorn. Speedfest 2010 started on a cold and wet note as Saturday’s practice and qualifying was washed out by a persistent mist as the temperature hovered around freezing. Sunday was clear and warmer with a bright sun helping to dry the track for the full day of activities including practice, qualifying, an on the track autograph session and the features events.
"I have to thank my guys, Chris Gabehart did a great job in his first race as my crew chief. Racing is a people thing, and I have gathered a great group of people that made this happen." Busch commented from Victory Lane. “I want to thank all the fans that came out today.”
Bubba Pollard set fast time early with a time of 13.630 seconds, he held onto fast time until Steven Wallace went out late and set a time13.269 which held for fast time of the day, earning him the Lynch Tree Service Fast Qualifier Award.
Wallace jumped out to the lead but Busch, who started fourth, took over the lead from Wallace on the 16th lap. Busch then led until the half way break. The race for second through 10th was furious as the drivers jockeyed for position, allowing Busch to stay out front easily to the half way point.
Busch drew a five for the invert to start the second half of the race putting Cale Gale on the pole, he held the lead until Wallace again assumed the front runner status on lap 139 only to have Busch drive past him on lap 146 for a lead position he would not give up. Wallace finished second, Jeff Fultz third, Bubba Pollard fourth and Drew Bannon passed Chase Elliott on the last lap to get fifth.
Jason Hogan was the first car out when he hit a chunk of lead weight dropped from another car on the opening lap knocking out his drive shaft. The lead then hit T.J. Reaid’s car taking part of the brake pedal with it. This forced Reaid out later in the race. Blaney had an excellent race, pushing Wallace for second in the last few laps of the race when he went into the fourth turn too strong attempting to get under Wallace and spun on lap 248, forcing him to the tail of the lead lap cars. Blaney finished 11th.
Wallace also turned the fastest lap during the race to earn the VDL Fuel Systems Hot Lap of the Race Award. Johanna Long moved from the 27th starting position to finish tenth and earn the Five Star Racecar Bodies Hard Charger Award.
The Wearcrete Racing with Jeff Fultz Performance Award was given to the driver with the best overall finishes in the Winchester 400 in 2009 and SpeedFest 2010 CRA Super Series events. Busch won both events and takes home this Award. Busch nearly won the Pro Late Model race as well, just missing the $10,000 bonus for winning both, when after leading most of the race he was put to the rear after bumping Casey Roderick with less than 10 laps to go.
Only one tow truck was needed in the Super Late Model race, when Russell Fleeman had to be pulled off due to an accident. That was the only time a tow truck has been needed at the two Super Late Model Speedfest races at Lanier National Speedway, as the 2009 race never rolled a tow truck. The Five Star Racecar Bodies Hard Luck Award for the worst body damage during the race went to Fleeman and David Stremme who was damaged when he was collected in a different accident.
The next CRA Super Series event is also in Georgia with the Season Opening Event at Gresham Motorsports Park in Jefferson, GA on March 13. For more information including an entry form see www.craracing.net.
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