SENOIA, Ga. — Senoia Raceway was the perfect place for Kyle Bronson to put an end to his year-long drought.
And the Brandon, Fla., driver was quick to thank his crew, family and car owners Wayne and Shirlene Hammond after Friday’s Castrol FloRacing Night in America victory on the opening night of the Peach State Classic.
“I’m just glad they didn’t give up on me,” Bronson said. “It’s been a rough year here, man.”
Putting the pain of a winless season behind him, the 32-year-old Bronson led all 50 laps from outside the front row, staying ahead of some feisty action behind him in grabbing a $20,000 payday and his first Castrol tour victory (last year’s Peach State Classic wasn’t a tour event).
Battling a track surface soaked by Tropical Storm Nicole, Bronson fought off multiple challengers and took the checkers .893 seconds ahead of runner-up Spencer Hughes, while 11th-starting Garrett Alberson finished third.
Dennis Erb Jr., whose heat-race miscue forced him to rally from 19th in the main event, was fourth and Hudson O’Neal was fifth despite contact from fast-qualifier Tyler Millwood as he took the checkers, sending O’Neal’s car spinning into turn one.
Bronson will be among the favorites when everyone returns Saturday for the tour finale that pays $53,053 to the winning in the richest event on the second-year Castrol Series.
“It’s awesome, you know. It’s $20,000,” Bronson said in victory lane. “We’re close to home, only four hours from home. I really look forward to coming here. I know these guys will have this Grade-A facility here tomorrow.”
The finish:
Feature (50 Laps): 1. 40B-Kyle Bronson[2]; 2. 11-Spencer Hughes[3]; 3. 58-Garrett Alberson[11]; 4. 28-Dennis Erb Jr[19]; 5. 71X-Hudson O’Neal[16]; 6. 31-Tyler Millwood[8]; 7. 19M-Wil Herrington[17]; 8. B5-Brandon Sheppard[14]; 9. 20RT-Ricky Thornton Jr[15]; 10. 7W-Ricky Weiss[24]; 11. (DNF) 12-Ashton Winger[1]; 12. (DNF) 157-Mike Marlar[5]; 13. (DNF) 1T-Tyler Erb[18]; 14. (DNF) 66K-Dylan Knowles[21]; 15. (DNF) 3S-Brian Shirley[20]; 16. (DNF) 22-Will Roland[10]; 17. (DNF) 22E-Russell Erwin[23]; 18. (DNF) 16S-Sam Seawright[7]; 19. (DNF) 99-JR Moseley[13]; 20. (DNF) 42-Cla Knight[6]; 21. (DNF) 44-Chris Madden[4]; 22. (DNF) 17M-Dale McDowell[9]; 23. (DNF) 19-Ryan Gustin[12]; 24. (DNF) 93-Carson Ferguson[22]
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