Ryan
Preece saw an opportunity he simply couldn't pass
up.
Preece, of Berlin, Conn., was in the right spot when
the leaders wrecked ahead of him with four laps
remaining Saturday night at Caraway Speedway,
inheriting the lead he would not relinquish on the
ensuing restart to win the 10th annual Colors Edge
John Blewett III North-South Shootout presented by
PPG. Preece held off Chuck Hossfeld and Matt
Hirschman to win the 125-lap Tour-Type Modified
feature event.
Preece was making his debut in the No. 7ny owned by
NASCAR Sprint Cup Series crew chief Kevin Bono
Manion and previously piloted by Ryan Newman to wins
at Bristol Motor Speedway and New Hampshire Motor
Speedway on the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour.
I'm still in shock right now, Preece said. I
don't even know what to say. That was just the most
up-and-down race. I can't thank my Dad enough,
'Bono,' and everybody who gave me this opportunity.
Holy crap!
Preece was fourth on Lap 121 when the three cars
ahead of him got together in Turn 2 to bring out the
caution. When the race went back to green, he held
off both Hossfeld and four-time race winner Matt
Hirschman to take the checkered flag and the
winner's payday of more than $6,000.
Danny Bohn and Chris Pasteryak finished fourth and
fifth, respectively.
I knew (Hossfeld) was good, but I knew we were a
little bit better, said Preece, who led early in
the event but was shuffled back in traffic following
his pit stop on Lap 56. I just wanted to keep those
guys out there, because I've lost two races to Matt
Hirschman this year on the last lap. I wanted to
keep him behind me. Awesome job by my crew, awesome
job by everybody on this car.
I'm so thankful right now, and I'm so happy to be
here.
Earlier
in the day, Michael Gervais Jr. of Southbury, Conn.,
led every lap of the 25-lap SK Modified feature
event for his first career North-South Shootout
victory in his first trip to the event. Jimmy
Zacharias finished second, while Glen Reen capped
the podium with a third-place effort.
This is really special. We only got our first two
wins this year (at Stafford Motor Speedway), so to
come down here and be competitive, it really feels
great, Gervais said. I can't thank everybody
enough.
Jay Fogleman of Durham, N.C., won the 150-lap PASS
Super Late Model event to begin feature racing on
the .455-mile oval. Kaz Grala won the 25-lap Legends
feature, while Justin Newlin won the 75-lap Truck
feature, and Kenny Bost capped the day with a win in
the 40-lap Sportsman event.
For more information on the 10th annual Colors Edge
John Blewett III North-South Shootout presented by
PPG, visit
www.NorthSouthShootout.com or contact the
Caraway Speedway office at (336) 629-5803.
COLORS EDGE 10th ANNUAL JOHN BLEWETT III
NORTH-SOUTH SHOOTOUT PRESENTED BY PPG TOUR MODIFIED
125: 1. Ryan Preece; 2. Chuck Hossfeld; 3. Matt
Hirschman; 4. Danny Bohn; 5. Chris Pasteryak; 6.
Johnny Sutton; 7. Tommy Barrett; 8. Charlie
Pasteryak; 9. Woody Pitkat; 10. Kyle Ebersole. |