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29Jul2019
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Gavin Harlien Wins Race 2 At Mid-Ohio
Lexington, Ohio (July 28, 2019) – Gavin Harlien raced to victory in SPEED Energy Stadium SUPER Trucks Round No. 10 at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course Sunday after encountering a heart-breaking defeat Saturday as his truck would develop an issue while dominating the race at the midway point.
Holding the second ever race at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course Sunday fans whom lined the 13-turn prominent road course where on their feet the entire race in pure amazement with another thrilling SST race for the ages.
Pole Sitter Gavin Harlien of Mesa, Arizona driving the VP Racing Fuel/Lubricants truck would jump out to the early lead immediately from the drop of the green flag.
Fourth starting Jeff Hoffman of Phoenix, Arizona would drive past second starting Bill Hynes to slide into the second position at the start of Lap-2.
Current SST point leader Matt Brabham of Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia however was the man on the move quickly moving up into the fourth position for his eighth starting spot, and looking to be in the mix of the leaders early in the race.
The restart of the second segment allowed Brabham and Hoffman battle hard for the second position, as the two would begin to push it harder with one another. Going side by side multiple times Hoffman would hold off the hard charging Brabham.
Stalking the Toyo Tire tracks of Hoffman, Brabham would use the draft to his advantage slinging past Hoffman for the second position at the start of Lap-9.
Meanwhile, Hoffman and Brabham would battle hard with one another Harlien was on cruise control out front until Brabham would gain his opportunity at the restart the third segment as he would line up directly on Harlien’s rear bumper.
Brabham would make many attempts to move past Harlien the final two circuits looking to move to the inside and outside, but each attempt denied as Harlien would hold him off as thousands of fans cheered loudly.
As the checkered flag waved Harlien would go on to capture his first SST victory of the season ahead of Brabham, and Hoffman who would round out the podium.
Runner-Up finisher in Saturday’s race Greg Biffle of Vancouver, Washington would start his fourth SST race from the fifth spot. Quickly moving forward Biffle would add extreme pressure for the second position by Lap-2. Driving the Continental Tire truck super aggressive Biffle would launch off the Continental Tire ramp and land sideways spinning the truck into the infield grass and backing the truck into the retaining wall.
Biffle would pull to the pit lane to have SST technicians look at the truck for damage. With only a bent rear bumper Biffle would continue the race. Running consistent laps without trouble Biffle would be able to make his plan to advance after the conclusion of the second segment. Biffle would hold a great side by side battle for Cole Potts for the fourth position as the two would go side by side for multiple corners. Coming to the finish line Biffle would sneak ahead of Potts in the finishing order.
Saturday’s race winner Cole Potts of Scottsdale, Arizona driving the Security State Bank truck would start Sunday’s race from the sixth position and quickly move forward by Lap-2. However, Potts would make contact with fellow Scottsdale native Arie Luyendyk Jr. Both trucks would slide into the grass losing multiple positions.
Remaining patient Potts would be able to work his way back into the fourth position by Lap-8 setting up a great battle for the third position after the second competition caution. Pott’s would look to duck to the inside of Hoffman multiple times for third, but Hoffman would slam the door closed sending Potts into the grass again as Biffle would look to challenge him for fourth. As the checked flag flew Biffle would over take Potts for the fourth position resulting in a fifth.
Coming to the starting grid Orange, California driver Robby Gordon sporting his familiar bright orange SPEED Energy livery this weekend would encounter truck issues on the sight in lap. After a few minutes adjustments on pit lane from the SST technicians Gordon would make the call to the grid at the last moment. Struggling the handling of the truck the entire race Gordon would only advance one positions from his seventh starting spot to finish sixth.
Outside front-row starter Bill Hynes of Nazareth, Pennsylvania driving the United Fiber and Data entry would drive a clean and cautious race on Sunday bringing the No. 57 across the finish line in the seventh place.
Third starting Arie Luyendyk Jr. of Scottsdale, Arizona driving the bright yellow SPEED Energy truck would make contact with Cole Potts on the Lap-2 sending both trucks sliding into the grass. Luyendyk Jr. would report the truck would develop a bad vibration. Luyendyk Jr. would nurse the No. 25 around the course the remainder of the event to ultimately finish in the eighth spot two laps behind.
The overall standings for the two races at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course would see Matt Brabham win the overall weekend points championship with a third place finish on Saturday, and a second place on Sunday. Jeff Hoffman would grab the second overall position with a fifth and third respectively. Saturday’s winner Cole Potts would round out the overall podium with a fourth place finish on Sunday.
SPEED Energy Stadium SUPER Trucks
Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course
Round 10 Results
July 28, 2019
Lexington, Ohio
1. Gavin Harlien; Mesa, Arizona; VP Racing Fuels & Lubricants
2. Matt Brabham; Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia; Carlisle/ Headstrong/ KMC Wheels
3. Jeff Hoffman; Phoenix, Arizona; Toyo Tires
4. Greg Biffle; Vancouver, Washington; Continental Tire
5. Cole Potts; Scottsdale, Arizona; Security State Bank/ Innovative Computer Professionals
6. Robby Gordon; Orange, California; SPEED Energy/ Toyo Tires/ KMC Wheels/ Menards
7. Bill Hynes; Nazareth, Pennsylvania; United Fiber & Data/ LIVE/ Think Loud Development
8. Arie Luyendyk Jr.; Scottsdale, Arizona; SPEED Energy