Long Pond, PA – (July 30, 2016) – Chase Briscoe sailed into the ARCA Series record books by dominating the ModSpace 150….leading 51 of the 60 laps (over 600 for the season) and earning his fourth consecutive checkered flag. After his wins at the three previous (short track) races on the schedule, Winchester Speedway, Iowa Speedway and Lucas oil Raceway, Briscoe’s win at the 2.5-mile ‘Tricky Triangle’ only proved how versatile and talented the 21 year old rookie truly is.
After leading the lone, rain-shortened practice, Briscoe said, “We unloaded with 26-lap General Tires and went straight to the top of the speed chart.” The championship points leader was disappointed to be knocked off the pole at the end of the Menards Pole Qualifying session.
By starting on the outside pole, in the high lane, Briscoe was able to grab the lead coming out of turn one. After leading the first 14 laps, crew chief Chad Bryant made a gutsy call to bring his driver in for fresh right side General Tires and Sunoco fuel. It was a must for gasman, Bob Melvin, to pack the Big Tine No. 77 Ford full of fuel, as Bryant had intentions of running the race on one stop. Briscoe relinquished the lead only one time, after this lone pit stop…when two other lead lap cars didn’t pit.
When Briscoe restarted, it took him four green flag laps to retake the lead and set off toward his fourth ARCA Series victory. Throughout the remainder of the 40 laps, Bryant reminded his driver to save fuel. Briscoe held the point….many times with a 10-15 car length lead over second place….all of the time conserving fuel.
With the help of well-timed cautions and the guidance of Bryant, Briscoe, who was only seriously challenged during the last half of the race by Christopher Bell, had enough fuel to cross the start/finish line first (over three seconds ahead of second) and even do some burnouts. He joined Parker Kligerman in the ARCA history book. In 2009, Kligerman was the last driver to earn 4-in-a-row win status, while driving the No. 77 for the Cunningham organization.
Many people had told Briscoe, before he earned his first victory at Winchester Speedway that once he got his first win…the flood gates would open. That seems to be the case. After celebrating win No. 4 with his team in victory lane, Briscoe told the reporters in the media center, “I am finally learning to pace myself in these races.” With the win, Briscoe padded his championship points lead to an unofficial 410 point lead.
After pausing to soak it all in, Briscoe commented, “It’s crazy to reflect back a year…at where I was in my career. I don’t really know if it’s hit me yet what we have done this year, because I am so focused on the upcoming race. I’m sure at the end of the year, I will reflect on what we have accomplished and it will sink in. Winning four in a row, at any level of motorsports is tough and a blessing for sure. We are going to try to make it five in a row at Berlin!”
Myatt Snider – Teammate, Myatt Snider grabbed 6th in his sixth ARCA Series start, after qualifying 4th. He had worked his way to second before making his first pit stop during caution on lap 12. After restarting 6th, he grabbed 4th before radioing to crew chief, Paul Andrews that something was wrong on the right front of the car.
During caution on lap 38, Andrews brought Snider to pit road so the crew could put a spring rubber in the right front of the car. He fought the handling on the Louisiana Hot Sauce No. 22 Ford through the remaining laps to grab his 5th top-10 finish in six ARCA Series starts…finishing 6th. Upon further examination of Snider’s car, Andrews found a missing radiator pan, which significantly changed the handling of the car for the rest of the race.
Snider, who won his first ARCA Series race at Toledo Speedway, in May, said, “P6, considering everything that happened….I’m thankful I got this for Louisiana Hot Sauce Racing.”
Next Race – The Cunningham teams will head to the Berlin Speedway in Marne, Michigan, on Saturday, August 6 for the ARCA 200. Clayton Weatherman, younger brother of former Cunningham driver, Kyle Weatherman, will pilot the No. 22 at the .44-mile track. Two 45-minute practice sessions are scheduled beginning at 2:30 and 3:45 EST. Menards Pole Qualifying will follow at 6:00, with an opportunity for fans to meet the drivers at an on-track autograph session beginning at 7:30. The 200 lap race, which will be live on American Sports Network (ASN) will take the green flag at 9:00.