CONCORD BANDOLEROS - 9/21/07 & 9/22/07
By Jason Buckley
SELLERS SWEEPS OUTLAWS DIVISION; RACES WITH HEAVY HEART
Many divisions of Bandolero and Legends racing at Concord Motorsport Park (NC) had higher car counts the last two events of the year than they have had in the past few months of racing action, but the Outlaws division saw a decrease in car count. With only three drivers showing up to race each night, the divisional features lacked excitement.
In both events, Kendall Sellers took the green flag, driving on to the checkered flag first ahead of Nathan Rodgers. Both drivers ended up first and second both nights and first and second in the track championship.
Rodgers was questionable to race Friday and Saturday night due to injuries to himself and his car after a wreck the week before, however help from the Sellers got his car back together, which allowed him to race both nights.
“I got my second concussion in three months because of T.J. Hicks and his ridiculous driving,” said Rodgers Saturday night. “Last night I came out here to just make a few laps. The car felt good so I stayed out for the whole race. Tonight I thought I had something for Kendall in the beginning, but my car started slipping off.
Kendall Sellers has entered victory lane many times this season. (FASTRAC Images)
“I have to thank the Sellers family for helping me get my car back together and making it possible for me to come out here and race. I had fun all year racing Kendall.”
Kendall Sellers (left) and Nathan Rodgers (right) battled all season in the Outlaw division. (FASTRAC Images)
Although Rodgers was an on track rival for Sellers, his team worked to get his #42 Bandolero back on the track and up to speed.
“When Nathan had his wreck his car came right to our shop,” said Sellers. “We helped him get it back here. I know he needed it for the points as well as competition wise for us.”
Entering Saturday night’s race, Sellers already had one win under his belt during the weekend and was looking for the sweep. Unfortunately, an extended member of their race team passed away earlier in the day, which weighed heavy on his mind.
“Tonight has been a rollercoaster for me,” said Sellers. “I had received word (before the race) that the Morgan family has lost a great one. Charlie was a good guy. He was real good to me. It is hard for me to put into words.
“Nathan was quick in the heat race and for a few laps I thought this might be a little harder than I thought tonight. I got thinking about it by lap five. I have the ultimate angel riding with me so I just drove on.”
RILEY HALVERSON SNAGS SEASON FINALE FOR THE BEGINNER BANDITS
Riley Halverson in victory lane before getting water poured on him. (FASTRAC Images)
Friday night, Chandler LeVan took the checkered flag leaving many to wonder if someone other than his #8 Bandolero or the #4 of John Holleman was going to take Saturday night’s season finale event. Both drivers have visited victory lane numerous times since the fall half of the season started for the Beginner Bandits, but Saturday night the race belonged to Riley Halverson, who escaped the wrecks and mayhem on the track to take the final victory of the season.
“I was nervous there at the end,” said Halverson. “I didn’t know what was going to happen.”
The drama during the race occurred when Noah Triplett and John Holleman made contact on the track, putting Triplett into the spin cycle and Triplett in the pits for the night.
“I was running good,” said Holleman. “I started on the pole and was leading the race. The #70 (Triplett) bumped me a few times and I held on. About lap five we came around turn 1 and 2. He spun me in one and slammed me again.”
Holleman had to get his head back in the game and was able to come back up through the field, but the laps ran out on him as Halverson took the checkered flag.
The outcome of the changed when the #70 and #4 had contact on the track. (FASTRAC Images)
“I was trying to hunt down Riley and try to get the win, but both of my spindles were bent,” said Holleman. “I ran out of laps and did good to just finish second.”
In victory lane, Halverson smiled from ear to ear. The last few laps of the race he had to drive smooth and hold on to the lead ahead of Holleman. He only had one thing on his mind during that time.
“I was just thinking I was in first, (and) win.”
Holleman wasn’t too happy after the race due to the contact with Triplett, but was satisfied with his season at Concord.
“Noah got the the championship, but I would rather have six wins and a fourth and a second place than the championship,” said Holleman. “He just won the championship because he ran all the races.”
[Editor’s Note: LegendsNation.com was not able to reach Noah Triplett for his side on the situation.]
DILLON BASSETT TAKES BOTH BANDITS DIVISION VICTORIES AND THE CHAMPIONSHIP
"Sparkplug" got it done at CMP. (FASTRAC Images)
The best way to win a championship is to win the final races of the season. In the Outlaws division, Kendall Sellers was able to obtain that feat, and Dillon Bassett did the same thing by winning Friday and Saturday night in the Bandits division as well as earning the divisional track championship in style.
“They (both races) were pretty awesome,” said Bassett. “I like the competition out here and it is an awesome race track. I like to race here.”
Bassett hasn’t had the best of luck since the races started back up at Concord after the Lowe’s Motor Speedway Summer Shootout Series. On track action sent Bassett into the spin cycle and the wall on many occasions over the last few months, shrinking his overall points lead. Many times, Bassett was hot under the collar, but was cool enough to get the job done in the final two events.
“We had a couple of races this year where we had to keep our heads on straight and not do anything stupid,” said Bassett. “It worked out and it is pretty cool.”
Bassett's #44 paced both nights of action. (FASTRAC Images)
Behind Bassett in the final race on Saturday, Jordan Stillwell and Tyler Lester put on a battle for second on the track. Stillwell came out on top, but that didn’t make Lester too happy.
“I was trying to follow Stillwell and follow his line,” said Lester. “I got underneath of him and he cut me off and I spun sideways. He just does it that way. That is how he drives. He rides his brakes all the time before it goes green, then he hits the gas. He plays all these games.”
Stillwell didn’t address his battle with Lester, but was rather focused on what it would take to beat Bassett on the track.
“He just had the car wound up,” said Stillwell. “He went and I don’t understand why nobody can catch him. At least we ended the year with a good run, but it is kind of disappointing that I didn’t get the win that I wanted. Second place is ok though.”
DYLAN PACK TAKES FINAL YOUNG GUNS WIN AT CONCORD
Devin Jones (#35) and Dylan Pack (#89) were both fast Saturday night. (FASTRAC Images)
The battle for the top spot this season in the Young Guns division at Concord has been between Dylan Pack and Ronnie Bassett. Both have had numerous victories throughout the season and looked to add two more in the final weekend of racing action at CMP. Even though Friday night’s victory went to Robert Poole, it was Dylan Pack that took the checkered flag Saturday night, closing out the season.
“The Beantown Bandolero was good,” said Pack. “Me and the #35 (Devin Jones) traded paint out there for a little bit. We made contact, but that is racing. It was a good race. Overall I would like to thank my fans. It was really good.”
“While Pack ran off with the win, behind him a torrid battle for the second position took place between four cars. Devin Jones tried to hold off Bassett for second, but in the late stages he got the bumper, dropping him to third.
“We have been struggling a little bit today,” said Jones. “We finally hit it a little bit, but didn’t have anything for Dylan. It was just close racing and the #04 (Bassett) came out ahead of us. Everyone was in one big bunch and it could have been anyone’s race at that point.
Robert Poole won Friday night's race, but his win was under protest. (FASTRAC Images)
“We have been really working hard and practicing out here a lot. We just hope we can keep this up so next year we can be in contention for some championships.”
Bassett knew he had to put the bumper to Jones to get by him, but used it in a way not to wreck him in the process.
“I was a little bit faster than Devin,” said Bassett. “I gave him the bumper a little bit. The bumper isn’t there for looks, so I have to use it sometimes. I went as hard as I could and I wanted the win. I got second on the last lap coming into three. Pack was good and so was Devin.”
After the race, Pack took a moment to give praises to Jones on his performance Saturday.
“If he (Jones) stays in Bandoleros that #35 kid will be one heck of a driver,” said Pack. “He drives really good out there.”
Pack also wanted to commend Robert Poole on his race the day before. Pack finished second to Poole on Friday, and lodged a protest on his car to make sure it was legal.
“My car was pretty fast yesterday, but I was on the outside and got hung out there,” explained Pack. “I tried to chase down Robert but couldn’t get him there. I feel bad for protesting him now. We are just trying to even the playing field out here. If he is legal, I would like to say congrats to him.”
Editor's Note: LegendsNation.com spoke to INEX National Tech Director Scott Reinhardt late Tuesday. The part protested on Robert Poole's Bandolero was checked and passed inspection.
