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PRI Invitational at Orlando Speedworld - Legends Racing Action

By Jason Buckley

NORTH CAROLINA'S CRAIG GOESS, JR. HOLDS OFF FLORIDA'S KORY ABBOTT FOR PRI VICTORY

For the third year in a row the Legends community was invited to partake in the Mopar Sprint & Midget Classic at Orlando Speedworld (FL) in December as part of the Performance Racing Industry (PRI) Trade Show weekend where exhibitors show off their goods and services to others in the industry during the day and head to the track at night for some wild racing action. Nearly 30 Legends racers showed up to partake in the invite-only event, which concluded with 20-lap feature. When the checkered flag flew, it was North Carolina’s Craig Goess, Jr. holding off a late charge by Florida’s Kory Abbott to claim the special honors.

Craig Goess, Jr. in victory lane at Orlando Speedworld for the PRI Invitational. (LN photo)

Goess started from the pole position while Abbott started third. Both drivers got the jump on the field heading into the first turn, but Abbott moved his way by Goess into the top spot and led the first half of the race.

“It took a few laps to get heat in the tires,” said Goess. “I didn’t want to spin them so the first few laps I let those guys go by so I could just settle in and get the car back down in the race track. After a few laps it would come in.”

Goess stalked the back bumper of Abbott, getting close enough in hopes to force the track regular to slip up, but he couldn’t rattle his cage.

“That is just a little strategy,” explained Goess. “Four or five times over four or five laps we would go in there trying to make him think I was going to dive under him, trying to make him drive in extra hard. I was trying to make him abuse his car.”

Just past the halfway mark, the field was mostly single file, but Goess made his move to reclaim the lead from Abbott, pushing his #81 to the front spot. During the final eight laps, the caution flew a couple times for single-car spins, which put the pressure on Goess to retain the lead.

Both Kory Abbott (#5) and Craig Goess, Jr. (#81) took their turn racing in the top spot while the other put pressure on for position. (Hendrick Sports Photos)

“I was really liking those restarts,” said Abbott. “I didn’t like them when I was in front because I knew he (Goess) had a good car. The restarts were really tight. There were slower than I am used to. I put as much pressure on him and pushed him as hard as I could. He didn’t budge too much. He is a champion driver and it was fun racing with him.”

On the final lap, Abbott made one last ditch effort to wrestle the top spot from Goess, but was denied, forcing him to finish second.

“He runs that outside groove,” explained Abbott. “I tried one corner to dive it in there. He shut the door on me pretty good. He got loose and I got under him again. We both drove it in there and he was able to hang onto it in the outside groove.”

Keeping his focus on what was ahead of him instead of behind, Goess drove to the checkered flag first, giving him the PRI Invitational victory in his second year of being invited to the event.

“I didn’t know who or what was there on the last lap,” said Goess. “I was not looking whatsoever at what was happening behind me. I focused on my car, getting it exactly where I wanted it to be, hit my marks and went on. If he passed me he passed me, but I wasn’t going to be watching my mirror and watch him do it.”

After the race, Abbott wasn’t disappointed with his second-place finish, especially since it was to Goess, who is known as one of the best Legends driver over the years.

“Craig Goess is really hard to beat no matter where he goes,” said Abbott. “He has been in Legends for a while. He is a multi-time champion, so it was really good to run with him. We led half the race and he got by me. We put some pressure on him. It was a lot of fun. He just had that outside line rolling. For two or three laps I could get him, but after about five laps he would put the distance on us. I knew with that last caution flag I was going to try to jump in there as much as I could. We came out with both cars in one piece. He is happy and we are happy so it was a good show.”

Goess, who will be moving up to full-sized cars in 2008, was humbled by the respect and comments Abbott made as well as being invited to this special event at Orlando Speedworld.

“It is definitely flattering,” said Goess. “Kory and a few of these other guys race here every Saturday night. To be able to come down and run with those guys makes me feel good as well. It is cool that those guys look up to me and I am glad I get to race with these guys at their track.

“It was a good thing to be invited and I appreciate that just like last year. It is pretty neat seeing these Sprint Cars and be around an environment we normally do not get to be around. At a normal Legends race we do not get to race in front of so many people. That makes it real nice to have the driver introductions and the fireworks. The little things like that make it even more special to come here.”

WISCONSIN’S BLAKE BROWN CLAIMS THIRD

Blake Brown is one of the handful of drivers that raced in the PRI Invitational that were not from the Southeastern United States. The Franksville, Wisconsin driver started the 20-lap feature in the second position and was able to get back to third after dropping back a few spots early in the event.

“It was a pretty good race,” said Brown. “I am happy with it. I lost it a little bit at the beginning, but I was able to get it back to about third place. I just wasn’t able to get a run up on anybody. I want to thank all of my guys for getting my car as good as it was.”

Many racers struggle to smile when they do not end a race in victory lane, but for Brown, he was all smiles after his solid run, especially due to the nature of the invite-only event.

“This race is special since you have to get invited to come here. At Nationals you can just show up and try to get in, but here you have to get invited, then still have to race your way in. With all the TV and media coverage as well as the PRI show, it is really special. The stands were packed.”

THOMSON PLEASED WITH FOURTH-PLACE FINISH IN NEW CAR

Blake Brown prepares for battle at PRI. (LN Photo)

Orlando Speedworld is considered one of the “home tracks” for Brandon Thomson. The Legends racer from St. Cloud, Florida battles every week against Kory Abbott for the top honors at the facility, so he was a favorite to win going into the PRI Invitational.

Thomson started seventh and was able to move his way to the fourth position by the end of the race, but he wasn’t disappointed with his finish due to the level of competition at the track as well as turning the first laps in a race in his new car.

“There was a lot of good talent in the field today,” said Thomson. “We had a good car, but we had some problems. This is the first time I have actually raced this car. We figured out a bunch of the problems with it right before the Main, so the car really came to life.

“We had a really good run for the first five laps. We loosened the car up before the race and with all of the Hoosier rubber on the track from the Sprints and Midgets we ended up sliding around a lot. I couldn’t do much about it except ride it out and try to hold people up. I know I was in the way the last few laps, but I was trying to hold myself in a good spot.

“This is a cool race. When you run good like we did tonight it just shows you have a good car and good people helping you. It has been fun running this the last couple of years.”

Brandon Thomson shook down a newer car during the PRI invitational. (Hendrick Sports Photos)

PRI INVITATIONAL RESULTS

Pos.

No.

171

165

Driver

Craig Goess, Jr

Kory Abbott

Blake Brown

Brandon Thomson

Andrew Smith

Chelsea Schillig

Christian Pahud

Duncan Molesworth

Ryan Ellis

Josh Williams

Jimmy Norman

Dylan Ames

John Hilliker

Alex Kempf

Mike Verhaagh

Michael Bilderback

Shaughn McCormick

David Tart

Jason Powers

Jimmy Hanson

Gary Bursey

Darin Coker

Craig Goess, Jr. being interviewed after the race for TV. (Hendrick Sports Photos)