SATURDAY NIGHT RECAP
NASCAR Saturday Night August 25 Recap with Kyle Souza
After what was close to a month off from racing, we were finally able to get some sunshine into the Seekonk Speedway area and throw the green flag on Saturday night. It was Phil’s Propane night at the races, and because of Mother Nature, Phil’s Propane night included three different Phil’s Propane Triple Crown Series feature events.
In the Pro Stocks, Jake Johnson showed exactly why he is going to be one of the contenders to win the championship in his Rookie season. The No. 15 Lin’s Propane Trucks machine ran the outside lane for the final half of the race, and used that top groove to slide by Todd Annarummo for the lead en route to his first win. Johnson also clinched the Phil’s Propane Triple Crown Series championship, and his first Pro Stock win came in the midst of a rough feature. David Darling, the points leader, ended the night with damage, and multiple other contenders were sidelined early.
The 25-lap Sports Trucks feature saw one of the best car counts of the season yet and it was Bobby Tripp making a late charge to roll back into Victory Lane. Tripp, who clinched the Triple Crown title a few weeks ago, is the overall points leader in his return season, and looks to be well on his way to contending for a championship.
The Sportsman feature was a wild one, with a few wrecks in the middle that took out some top contenders. Down the frontstretch, championship contenders Kyle Casper and Craig Pianka were eliminated when Tyler Lalier and Pianka made contact. When it came down to the final laps, Paul Lallier, the points leader, continued his roll by scoring his second win of the season. He passed Corey Fanning in the final laps and scored the checkered flag to help extend his points advantage. Fanning, who finished second, was crowned the Phil’s Propane Triple Crown Series champion.
In the Late Models, four drivers went into it aiming to capture the crown, but the winner ended up taking it down. Ray Parent, running his final Late Model race of his career, picked up the victory and the big Triple Crown trophy. Parent was at the front early, but had to fight Dan Johnson for the lead. The battle between the two of them was heated, hotly contested, and it definitely had me on the edge of my seat. Johnson got loose in the final laps on the bottom, and Parent was able to slide around and come to the checkered flag. His career in the Late Models was a successful one — but he is making his move to the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour. What a way to wrap this chapter in his racing career.
I know it’s hard to believe, but we are off again next weekend, this time for the Labor Day Thrill Show. See everyone in two weeks!
WITH KYLE SOUZA
WITH KYLE SOUZA