BURLINGTON, IA. (March 13, 2011)- Two weeks ago, the XCR championship looked like it was finally headed to Tennessee, with VLR_Shock winning six out of the last seven races at XCR and surging into the points lead over BLS_42.
My how quickly things change. Fresh off his worst finish in XCR series history, a 15th at Georgetown, Shock looked to get back on track with a win at Spinner Valley to extend his points lead with just two races to go.
Somebody forgot to tell that to the man chasing him in the standings, however, as it was the black and red machine of BLS_42 who would take the checkers first and inch closer towards taking back the points lead. VLR_Shock went on to finish second, but lost five points to the race winner BLS_42, who now sits just eleven races out with two events remaining to decide the champion.
Phoenix, AZ driver IFRT_14 picked up his best career Gen 3 finish at XCR with a strong third place run, followed by IFRT_67r in fourth in his first ever A Main at XCR. The Kokomo, IN Komet BLS_v6 rounded out the top five finishers.
“I'm just thankful to be back in victory lane," said the race winner BLS_42, who scored his fourth win of the season that he and VLR_Shock have dominated. “Anytime you can beat that zero car it usually means you're in victory lane with the way he's been running lately.
“I knew we had a great car but when there's nine other guys in the race you don't know how it will end up.”
BLS_42 started third in the dash but wasted little time advancing to the front after overtaking IFRT_14 to earn the pole for the 45-lap main event, before ripping the competition apart in the feature.
“This is huge man...winning this race gives me a boost towards trying to win this (championship),” said 42, who has chopped down what looked to be a nearly insurmountable lead in points by VLR_Shock by gaining 29 points on him in two races. “Shock was winning everything here the past couple months and just blew by me in points, and now we're right back in it.
“We'll keep digging but I know it's going to be hard to beat him these next two races, but we aren't in a bad spot at all right now.”
VLR_Shock, 22, started on the outside pole but was instantly left in the dust by BLS_42, and never could make up any ground on the Michigan driver.
“I really hate this track," Shock said bluntly after the race. "Congrats to BLS_42 on the win, we didn't have anything for him. I didn't have any laps before the race and it showed when I was all over the place just trying to find a rhythm and never could.
"42 had it hooked up and I wasn't gonna catch him anyway. The fact that I was able to even hold onto second was pretty amazing if you ask me. These championships have eluded me here at XCR even though I'm way out in front on the All-time win list, and now I know I got my work cut out for me to try and get my first one here."
IFRT_14 powered his GRT to a top three after keeping close with VLR_Shock for second after 45 laps.
“It was a lot of fun,” said IFRT_14 after the race. “I had a fast car and I'm happy to come out of here in one piece with a good finish. Would've like to of won but we'll take a finish like this any day."
IFRT_67 has ran the last three races at XCR and made his first A main feature this week after coming off a four year absence from league racing on his way to a top five finish.
“It's good to be back,” said 67r. “The car was pretty good...we won the heat with it. I'm glad to be back in the A mains against these great drivers and I hope it's a sign of things to come.
“I was on a long break from dtr2 and it's nice to be running again and getting good finishes like this one.”
BLS_v6 drove his High Times, Willie Nelson powered Ford to a top five finish for the first time in the last eight races at XCR, while holding down fourth in points in the process.
"I'm so high right now I can't breathe!" giggled BLS_v6. "Hell of a job by BLS_42 he drove car real fast today and beat Shock. He Shocked Shock, get it? Man I crack myself up.
v6 continued stammering through his words. "Car so fast today thank Willie Nelson, High Times, Cheech & Chong, F1yer, my weed dealer, and everybody else who helped me."
Finishing in positions 6-10 was VLR_18 of Brookfield, WI, who missed out on the top five for the first time in a long time due to handling issues.; ErL_BlkJak of North Carolina finished 7th; Erie, PA. driver BLS_DeadBolt followed him in eighth; XCR_B58 of Bullhead City, AZ brought home ninth, and Vineland, NJ's BLS_34 rounded out the field after an accident.
The XCR Winer Heat series returns next week to Bloomington, IN at the 1/4 miler there for what is sure to be an exciting race with VLR_Shock barely hanging on to a slim lead. All drivers are invited to attend and compete as just two races remain on the schedule throughout what has been a grueling season.