Round 3 of Cook Out Summer Shootout was all about "Stayin' Alive" and staying ahead at America’s Home for Racing, as drivers and fans celebrated Disco Night with a blend of throwback fun, intense competition and high-speed thrills that kept the energy high all evening long.
Landon Thrasher stole the spotlight in the roaring Young Lions with a late-race charge, while Maverick Bradshaw kept the rhythm going in Bandits, both tallying their second victories through the first three rounds of the summer.
THRASHER SPINS ANOTHER WIN
The disco ball was spinning and so was the lead pack in one of the grooviest races of the night. After starting on the outside due to the invert, last week’s last-lap winner, Landon Thrasher, had to hustle his way to the front despite Case James and Brexton Busch having the spotlight for much of the race.
For the first 20 laps, James kept the beat up front as Busch stayed in step right behind him, until a late Pro-FABrication caution turned the dance floor upside down. With cautions bunching the field and the lead changing hands multiple times among James, Busch, Thrasher and Turner Brown coming fast, the race became a full showdown in the closing laps.
When the music stopped, Thrasher was the one striking the right moves. Starting from the inside of the second row on the final restart, Thrasher worked his way to the front and, just like last week, once he found clean air, there was no catching him. As the checkered flag dropped on Lap 24, Thrasher was once again dancing his way to Victory Lane.
Behind Thrasher, Brown crossed the line second, followed by James, Busch and Colt Johnson rounding out the top five.
BRADSHAW BOOGIES BACK-TO-BACK
The Bandits brought the boogie early as Camden Powers and Lucas Harrison raced wheel-to-wheel through Lap 1. It wasn’t until Lap 9 that two-time winner Bradshaw worked his way to the front.
From there, the battle for the top three stayed tight as Anthony Pedulla charged into the second position while Bradshaw controlled the pace out front. Once he took over on Lap 9, Bradshaw never looked back.
“My coach Neal Dulin helps me with this, and I listened to what he said and it worked,” Bradshaw said about his coach and last week’s Pro winner, the “Real Deal Neal Dulin,” when asked about the pass on the outside during Lap 9.
Bradshaw maintained his lead to score the victory while Anthony Pedulla finished second, followed by Powers in third, Carter Clapp in fourth and Harrison hustling for the checkered flag.
ROAD TO THE PROS
In the Pro Series, Ben Morabito raced his way to victory in last week’s postponed makeup Round 2 action. The party didn’t stop there as 860 Motorsports teammate “Lightning” London McKenzie earned the checkers in the Round 3 competition.
Also busting a move, Stetson Stroup (Beginner Bandoleros), Carson Sherman (Outlaws), Finn Buckley (Chargers), Dylan Faulkner (VP Fuels Semi-Pro) and Robby Faggart (Dilling Heating, Cooling, Plumbing & Electrical Masters ) all dazzled the track with decadent Round 3 performances.
NEXT UP:
Bring your A-game on Tuesday, June 23, for Round 4 of Cook Out Summer Shootout featuring Speedway Sports Night at America’s Home for Racing. Step up to the plate for fast-paced action, home-field excitement and family-friendly entertainment as the competition heats up on the track. Fans wearing their favorite sports team attire will receive $5 off admission at the gate.
ABOUT COOK OUT SUMMER SHOOTOUT:
Celebrating its 33rd season, Cook Out Summer Shootout is a 10-race showcase of speed, featuring eight racing divisions of Legends Cars and Bandoleros. Races are held each Tuesday night under the lights with championship points on the line all summer long.
TICKETS:
Tickets are just $13; kids 12 and under get in FREE. Donate a canned good to Drive Out Hunger and get $2 off your Cook Out Summer Shootout ticket! For tickets, schedules and more details about all the happenings at Charlotte Motor Speedway, visit https://www.charlottemotorspeedway.com/tickets
KEEP TRACK:
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