(WOMR file photo)
After breathtaking, three-wide racing during the final 20-lap green-flag run, Darrell “Bubba” Wallace, Jr. held off hard-charging Keystone Light Polesitter Kyle Larson to win Friday night’s Ford EcoBoost 200 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race at Homestead-Miami Speedway.
Once again, as happens from time to time, the dominate horse driven by Kyle Larson led 97 of the 134 laps this week, but did not bring home the hardware. Larson put on a thoroughly dominating show til a late race yellow flag. The #42 Turner Scott Motorsports team pit crew had trouble with the left front tire, causing Larson to loose two spots on the pit stop. That small mistake gave Wallace the pole for the final restart.
“Toward the end, battling the two Kyles (Busch and Larson) — the (Sprint) Cup stars — it was tough,” Wallace said. “But I didn’t get too excited, didn’t get too down. I kept a cool head and stayed patient and was able to come out on top.”
Wallace won his fourth race of the season and fifth of his career in his final ride in the #54 Kyle Busch Motorsports Toyota, as the organization picked up its 14th victory in 22 races, which set a new single season record. Signed to Joe Gibbs Racing, Wallace is expected to move up to the NASCAR XFINITY Series next year.
“It is going to be sad to see him go,” Busch said, “but we’ve got another great shoe that’s going to be able to fit into that role really, really good with Erik Jones. It’s not that I’m saying goodbye, but I’m wishing him the best next year in what he gets to do, and I’m excited about his growth and opportunity to move up to the (XFINITY) Series.“
Wallace hopes to have his 2015 plans solidified in the net few weeks.
Note to self: It is just 96 days and a wake up til the 2015 Camping World Truck Series race at Daytona International Speedway!
TIL NEXT TIME, I AM STILL WORKING ON MY REDNECK!
