By Tom Giannini (ASRS PR)
(SPARTA, KY)The sun was out in Sparta, Kentucky and so were the ASRS competitors for the Skeeber Flob’s Kettle Corn Pro-Series. The stakes were high going into the Kentucky 100 as the top 4 in points were separated by a mere 9 points. Michael Atkins Jr. was hoping for a continuation of his early success as he entered the event as the points leader. 26 drivers entered the 67 lap event which meant there were no drivers that had to miss the show. The pole went to Tom Giannini with Zachary Bozanich starting on the outside of the front row. Jason Stewart, Mitch Brown and Lee Staples rounded out the top 5 to start the event.
Tom Giannini would not be denied in this one as he took his pole to an early lead. The lead was not large by any means as Zachary Bozanich and Jason Stewart all took turns swapping the lead with Giannini in the first half. As the field approached the halfway point, green flag pit-stops were underway with all drivers knowing they can make it to the end on fuel with this one pit stop. Giannini was the first of the leaders to make the move to pit road and after pit-stops cycled through Giannini found himself with a 3 second lead over Jason Stewart. Giannini would not look back as the race amazingly went caution free.
Running a paint scheme featuring his late grandmother, Giannini was asked about it in victory: “I wanted to win so badly with the passing of my grandmother last week. She was on the hood and she gave me a hotrod today. I’m really happy for my Evolution Motorsports guys and I’d like to congratulate my teammate Steve on a great run himself.” The final results featured a top 5 of heavy hitters with Jason Stewart finishing second, Mitch Brown finishing third, Zachary Bozanich fourth and finally Danny Rodgers rounding out the top 5.
The standings were tight entering the event but were even tighter when the smoke cleared. Michael Atkins Jr. was able to conserve his point lead with his 12th place finish but the field became even tighter with the addition of Giannini to the top 4. The top 4 of Adkins, Rodgers, Jared Mogard and Giannini are all separated by a slim 8 points. The Skeeber Flob’s Kettle Corn Pro-Series rolls into New Smyrna next week for the New Smyrna 125 on Wednesday night.