CROSSVILLE TENNESSEE - May 20, 2012:
The Team VLR/NOS Energy Toyota Camry Big Block Dirt Modified #0 car driven by VLR_Shock brought out his pole-winning race car for the first annual Super Dirt Week 100 modified race at the historic Orange County Fair Speedway in Middletown, New York. After a disappointing fifth place finish in his premier dirt late model Friday night at the track known as "The Hard Clay," Shock looked to improve that finish in his first race inside an 800 horsepower big block modified.
The Tennessee driver proved to be a natural in his Troyer Chassis by picking up the pole for the 100 lap event held Sunday night. When the race started, the 23-year old found himself out front from the get-go and survived a flurry of cautions to lead every lap until a final restart with twenty-seven laps remaining. The defending VLR series champion then traded spots lap after lap with former teammate BLS_18 as the two battled for the win. With ten laps remaining, the #0 of Shock had distanced himself by four car lengths over the 18 car while trying to nurse his car, and tires, to one of his biggest career wins in a chassis he'd never ran until Friday night's qualifying session.
With four to go, BLS_18 had erased the four car length lead Shock had down to just two car lengths and the race was setting up for an epic finish. VLR_Shock slowly worked his way around the bottom lane and on the final lap it looked like he may be able to hold on. However BLS_18's tires were much fresher and the Wisconsin driver drove in deep in turn four and slammed the 0 car hard into the turn four wall, sending Shock sliding across the track.
The two would cross the line side-by-side, but Hickory, North Carolina driver BLS_F1yer wheeled his #15 Bicknell Chassis to the victory by two car lengths in the mayhem. VLR_Shock would still be scored second but was left wondering what could have been after 100-laps at the 5/8 mile Orange County Fair Speedway.
"I'm not mad, just disappointed," said VLR_Shock after climbing out of his modified. "It would have been cool to win my first race in this chassis it just seems like Wheel attaches a magnet to his car on the last lap or something and it pulls him into me every time I have a chance to win a big race like this.
"There's not much you can do about it, I mean you're just along for the ride at that point. Sure it's frustrating, but I gave it all I had and was on the receiving deal of someone else's mishap there. I guess he didn't think he was coming up on me that quick or something, but congrats to F1yer on the win he earned it and survived through his race to get the win."
