Concord Motorsport Park: 5/4/08

Bandolero Stories

By Jason Buckley

YOUNG GUNS – FINCHUM WINS WHILE HALVERSON AND LINKER FACE POSSIBLE SUSPENSIONS

The Young Guns story from Sunday's racing action is located here (click here).

OUTLAWS – PEPPICELLI AND DANIELS SPLIT WEEKEND VICTORIES

Bertt Peppicelli (left) and Bailey Daniels (right) traded wins this weekend.   (LN Photo)

The Bandolero Outlaw division races Friday and Sunday both had only three cars competing in each event.  Brett Peppicelli and Bailey Daniels competed in both events while Kayla Turner raced Friday and Scott Beaver raced Sunday.

While the car count was the same both days, the winners were different.  On Friday it was Peppicelli taking the victory ahead of Daniels, but Sunday Daniels bested Peppicelli as both drivers split the weekend victories.

“We have a different gear this time,” said Daniels in victory lane Sunday.  “I knew Brett would be quicker on the start.  Towards the end of the race my car got a little loose.  When they threw that caution I thought he was going to have me.  I had some really smooth and consistent laps.”

BEGINNER BANDITS – GRAYSON MASSEY GOES TO VICTORY LANE FOR THE FIRST TIME

The Beginner Bandits class has consistently had the most divisional cars this year as many of the young kids are now aspiring to become race car drivers.  Each week a new driver seems to make it to the top spot during the race, getting his or her first win in Bandolero competition.

Friday Steve Johns went to victory lane in a 14-car field, but Sunday it was Grayson Massey taking the checkered flag for his first win.

“I had a great car setup,” said Massey in victory lane.  “I started first and I hoped I could hold first place.”

A problem many of the new drivers have that they don’t mind learning is how to get to victory lane.  Massey, after taking the checkered flag, almost missed the turn off the track to get his trophy.

Grayson Massey was all smiles in victory lane... once he found his way there.   (MRIimages photo)

“I didn’t know (where to go),” explained Massey.  “I was a little nervous because it was my first win.”

Dillon Bassett celebrated his father's win in victory lane. (LN Photo)

BANDITS – BASSETT DEDICATES WIN TO HIS FATHER ON HIS BIRTHDAY

Every weekend at the race track, if there is one Bassett there is usually a whole group of them.  The whole family comes out to the events to race, work on the cars and watch the action on the track as well as have some fun off the track.

Another thing you can bank on at the track is if Dillon Bassett is racing, he will likely end up in victory lane.  That has been the theme this year in the Bandits division at Concord, but Sunday’s win was a little more special as the 11-year-old racer dedicated his win to his father Ronnie, who turned 38 Sunday.

“We came here and drove all night to get here after winning at Lanier yesterday,” said the younger Bassett.  “I won this one for my dad.  Today is his birthday.”

With his son winning on his birthday, you can say “Dad Bassett” was all smiles, especially after hearing his son dedicate the win to him.

“Dillon is always like that,” said Ronnie Bassett.  “He likes to put everyone first; whether it is brothers or sister, me or his mom.  He is pretty good about not being selfish and we are pretty proud of him for being like that.”