CONCORD, N.C. — Race fans pitched tents at America’s Home for Racing during Round 8’s Camping Night at Cook Out Summer Shootout.
Although all three Bandolero events were postponed due to weather, the five Legend Car divisions put on a show with Camden Truett roasting the competition in the Chargers division, while Bryson Nichols turned up the heat for the Young Lions, taking home the Round 8 win.
Camden Truett proved himself once again in the Chargers division, landing his second straight win after muscling his way through the field and making a late-race move when it mattered most.
Parker Ives shot out to the front early, finding his footing as the rest of the field scrambled for control on the slick surface. Chaos unfolded behind him, with cars going five wide in the opening laps until last week’s winner, Truett, patiently worked his way through traffic and began reeling in the leaders. After several early PRO-FABrication Headers & Exhaust cautions, the field finally found a rhythm, while Truett used them to his advantage, diving low to take control of the race.
As the laps wound down, Truett held firm through lapped traffic to take the win. Although the track conditions kept fans from seeing his usual show-stopping celebration in Victory Lane, his frontstretch burnout made it clear he was ready to celebrate.
Cole Gudmestad followed closely behind to take second while Thomas Harris, Parker Ives and Ivanna Richards rounded out the top five.
Bryson Nichols dominated the Young Lions division, ending with a five-second lead ahead of his competitors as the checkered flag waved.
After an early PRO-FABrication caution reshuffled the field thanks to a slick track and a wild slide from Colton Hale, it looked like Case James and Ben Morabito might set up camp at the front. But, after a few laps of riding Morabito’s bumper, Nichols had other plans as he turned up the heat on Lap 5.
Following a fierce, side-by-side battle with Morabito through Turns 1 and 2, Nichols raced to the front and never looked back. While others tussled for position behind him, Nichols roasted the field, widening the gap between him and his competitors lap by lap. By the end of the race, Nichols had extended his lead to over five seconds, leaving other racers in the dust, claiming his first win of the summer.
The campfire circle was complete with Camden Truett (Young Lions), Sam Butler (VP Fuels Semi-Pro), Tyler Reif (Dilling Heating, Cooling, Plumbing & Electrical) and Kyle Busch (American Rebel Ale Masters), roasting marshmallows and burning rubber for Round 8. The postponed Beginner Bandoleros, Bandits and Outlaw features will take place Tuesday, July 22, ahead of Round 9’s regularly scheduled programming.
