Fall was in the air Saturday night at Auburndale Speedway for round 4 of the STARS PRO TRUCK RACING SERIES. A great night for racing, skies were clear and cool and the STARS were out in force, with 19 STARS TRUCKS providing the racing action along with other divisions.
5 STARS YOUNG GUNS qualified with the #69 of Stephen Nasse setting fast time and earning the pole. The #77 of Lance Daubach was outside pole, 2nd row #7T of Chase Hoffman, #46 of Matt Cohen, 3rd row #55 Jonathan Fortin. Hard racing, especially between the #69 and the # 77. The #69 of Stephen Nasse dominated the race, with the #77 challenging for the lead late in the race and making contact with the #69 down in turn 4. The #77 went to the rear of the field, working his way back up to a third finishing position. 35 laps, 2 cautions.
Official Finishing order STARS YOUNG GUNS
1 #69 Stephen Nasse
2 #7T Chase Hoffman
3 #77 Lance Daubach
4 #46 Matt Cohen
5 #55 Jonathan Fortin
14 STARS PRO TRUCKS qualified with the #01 of Travis Roland setting fast time. Travis pulled the 10 pill for a starting position. The starting order was as follows:
1st row #92 Michael Cenzi / #407 Jason Vail
2nd row #18 Dustin Henderson / 05 Mike Powers
3rd row #33 Casey Caudill / #99 Jason Deaton
4th row #7T Bill Hoffman / #94 Andy Megronigle
5th row #71 Barry Bartlett / 01 Travis Roland
6th row #19 Chris Lewellen / #23 Mike Smith
7th row #53 Mario Romay / #25 David Hartin
The field took the green under ideal conditions, with the #92 of Michael Cenzi quickly setting the pace.
The #18 of Dustin Henderson, the #33 of Casey Caudill, the #99 of Jason Deation, the #407 of Jason Vail made up the top 5 as they completed the first couple of laps. The # 33 was working the #18 hard for position and made the pass coming out of turn 2 a few laps later. Meanwhile the #92 had checked out and was walking away from the rest of the field, with clear sailing ahead. At this time the #05 of Mike Powers was coming strong, making the pass on the #407 and setting his sights on the #99. The #18 was looking for position at every corner on the #33, with the #99 now holding off the #05, who was ready on the point. The #05 made the pass on the #99 after several laps of working the #99 hard.
Another battle had developed in the mid pack, with several drivers moving up for position. The first caution came out on lap 24, for the #19. Caution 2 came out on lap 29 as the #25 made contact with the #71 in turn 1, also involving the #19. The #25 went to the rear and left the track on the caution with a flat right rear tire. The #71 and the #19 continued to finish the race.
By this time, around lap 35, the #05 was working the #18, who was working the #33 for the 2nd, 3rd and 4th position. And now the #01 of Travis Roland, who had started 10th, was now working the #407 of Jason Vail for the 5th position, making the pass several laps later.
The finish saw 14 year old Michael Cenzi take the checkers for a very well deserved first win. Starting on the pole and leading all 50 laps, Michael had been previously racing in the Karts, Fastkids / FastTruck series, and this season with the STARS PRO TRUCK SERIES.
Official Finishing Order
1st #92 Michael Cenzi
2nd #33 Casey Caudill
3rd #18 Dustin Henderson
4th #05 Mike Powers
5th #01 Travis Roland
6th #407 Jason Vail
7th #71 Barry Bartlett
8th #23 Mike Smith
9th #19 Chris lewelen
10th #99 Jason Deaton
11th #7T Bill Hoffman
12th #94 Andy Megronigle
13th #25 David Hartin
14th #53 Mario Romay
STARS PRO TRUCK SERIES would like to thank all the Truck Teams who put on an awsome race, with only 2 cautions. Also, we would like to thank Auburndale Speedway for hosting this race with a great facility, and last but certainly not least, thanks to the fans whose attendance was greatly appreciated.
Next and finale round, The Grand Finale for this season of STARS PRO TRUCK RACING SERIES will be back at Auburndale Speedway, on November 3rd. This should be a great race, as only 20 points separate the top 5 drivers, and a win by any driver in the top 5 could possibly take the championship.