JAMAICA, Va. — The Modified Mafia Tour Shoot’ Em Up 30 feature became an instant classic as Chris Arnold used a little home-track magic to hold off Michael Altobelli over the last 12 laps to score the $2,500 victory at Virginia Motor Speedway.
“I have been trying for year’s to get a win in a special here at Virginia Motor Speedway, I can’t thank Michael Altobelli enough for racing me clean,” Arnold said.Â
Altobelli and Arnold led the field to the green flag, with Arnold taking the lead out of turn two. On lap seven Austin Holcombe moved into second and began to close in on Arnold. Behind the leader Ty Norder, Taylor Cook, and Altobeill battled for third. A caution flag on lap 14 for a big wreck in turn four that involved six cars, closed Holcombe on Arnold’s bumper.
On the restart Holcome would get under Arnold in turn one, only to see Arnold use the high line to hold on to the lead.
On lap 15 the battle for the lead got three-wide with Arnold, Holcombe, and Altobelli. A caution on lap 17 for debris would put the field nose to tail for the restart.
On the restart, Altobelli got under Holcombe for second and closed on Arnold. On the next lap Altobelli got inside Arnold in turn two and pulled door-to-door into turn three. Coming out of turn four, Altobelli pulled ahead by a bumper, taking the lead at the line.
Arnold would power back around Altobelli on the outside of turn one and two to retake the lead down the backstretch. Two laps later, Altobelli would look outside in turn two, pulling up to Arnold’s door. Behind them, the battle for third between Holcombe and Cook heated up.
All eyes were on the race for the lead with the fans on their feet as Arnold and Altobelli battled side-by-side in the corners with the laps winding down. With three to go, the leaders started working lapped traffic, with both drivers getting through without much hassle.
On the final lap Arnold had Altobelli on his bumper the two barreled down the backstretch. Heading into turn three, Altobelli made one last ditch at the win by driving it hard into the corner. Arnold would hold on to grab the win over Altobelli, Cook and Norder.
The first Victory Lap Pro Late Model feature saw Davis Lipscombe go to victory lane, while the second feature went to Nick Davis.
The 25-lap Sportsman feature was all Brett Adkins with Johnny Brooks winning the Limited Stock Car event.
Feature Finish (30 Laps)
1. 99W-Chris Arnold[2]; 2. 95-Michael Altobelli[1]; 3. 21-Taylor Cook[7]; 4. 8H-Austin Holcombe[4]; 5. 2T-Ty Norder[3]; 6. 6-Ryan Ayers[10]; 7. 90-Ray Kable[5]; 8. 18-Rick Hulson[11]; 9. 60-Jim Manka[9]; 10. 22-Donnie Levister[25]; 11. 7H-Josh Hughes[16]; 12. 11-Chase Butler[8]; 13. 55-Jason Sage[28]; 14. 21J-Curtis Mason[24]; 15. 10S-Tim Schulte[20]; 16. 84-Ryan Toole[14]; 17. 1ST-Bret Hamilton[17]; 18. 4-Doug Penny[21]; 19. 48-Lance Grady[18]; 20. 95J-Justin Cullum[13]; 21. 7+7-Jeff Solinger[15]; 22. 40-Brent Bordeaux[22]; 23. 814-Sam Lamborgini[23]; 24. 04-Kaleb Toole[19]; 25. 22E-Russell Erwin[6]; 26. 7D-TJ DeHaven[12]; 27. 47-Jimmy Jesmer[26]; 28. (DNS) 99-Cole Hilton