QUINCY, Mich. — Tyler Courtney had a prime opportunity to capitalize at Butler Motor Speedway, and that’s exactly what he did, inheriting command on lap 16 of the 30-lap Mace Thomas Classic and never looking back.
The victory — a first-ever for “Sunshine” at the Butler highbanks — ultimately secured the two-time and defending Tezos All Star Circuit of Champions presented by Mobil 1 titleholder with his eighth series triumph of the season and the 24th of his All Star career.
In addition, the victory propelled Clauson Marshall Racing to the top of the All Star owner standings, with the team now in charge by eight markers over Rudeen Racing.
As noted, Courtney took command of the 30-lap contest on lap 16, capitalizing on fellow title contender Zeb Wise’s misfortune. The now former series point leader and Friday night Tri-City Motor Speedway winner made contact with a lapped car, coming together as the pair battled by the flagstand.
The abrupt contact left Wise and Rudeen Racing with a heavily damaged front-end. They were unable to return.
Kyle Reinhardt, the newest ace of the Bryan Grove Racing No. 45 sprinter, led the first five circuits over Wise, eventually losing command by a turn four slider the following trip. The “Madman” Kerry Madsen would race home second in the Mace Thomas Classic, followed by Lane Racing’s Chris Windom, J.J. Hickle and Adam Kekich.
“I think we were honestly catching [Wise] up until that point. I definitely didn’t want to see that happen to him. I want to race him through the end of this championship hunt,” Courtney said. “They’ve been really, really good this year, and they’ve forced us to chase them. The big picture is, you don’t want to see that happen, but when it does, you have to capitalize.
“I’ve come to really cherish these wins and moments like this. This was my first time at Butler, but what an amazing crowd. Hopefully everyone enjoyed that.”
Feature Results (30 Laps)
1. 7BC-Tyler Courtney[5]; 2. 55-Kerry Madsen[10]; 3. 4-Chris Windom[13]; 4. 50YR-JJ Hickle[6]; 5. 29-Adam Kekich[3]; 6. 97-Zeth Sabo[11]; 7. 23-Cale Thomas[9]; 8. 12-Corbin Gurley[7]; 9. 28M-Conner Morrell[12]; 10. 70-Kraig Kinser[14]; 11. 73-Scotty Thiel[4]; 12. 7N-Darin Naida[22]; 13. 10JR-Keith Sheffer Jr[18]; 14. 16C-Tylar Rankin[17]; 15. 41-Thomas Schinderle[19]; 16. 17-Reece Saldana[24]; 17. 42M-Boston Mead[20]; 18. (DNF) 42-Sye Lynch[15]; 19. (DNF) 26-Zeb Wise[1]; 20. (DNF) 10BR-Jason Blonde[8]; 21. (DNF) 45-Kyle Reinhardt[2]; 22. (DNF) 27-Trey McGranahan[16]; 23. (DNF) 17B-Bill Balog[21]; 24. (DNF) 35-Stuart Brubaker[23]