[Jerry Shaw]

This had chances to either be a really good or a really bad way to lead into next weekend's two night show. To start off with, they had a huge crowd that showed up for tonight's event. Very nearly a Sprint Week sized turnout. Secondly, as the heats ended and it was time to get into the B mains, there were some very threatening looking things starting to appear on the radar. As time went on, it was continually looking worse. And we had 3 semis and fireworks to go before the sprint feature would roll onto the track. As the storms approached, would they have to choose between skipping the fireworks to get the feature in or to get the fireworks in and chance losing the A Main to Mother Nature? And it's a legitimate question, because many race fans make it point to bring their family out to these fireworks shows. Tonight was a very good example of that.

So, they got through the Bs. Then the fireworks crew obviously went into their version of the 2 minute offense. And the storms miraculously started dissolving as they approached within a few miles of the track. So we were set. And the drivers didn't disappoint. Especially Shane Cockrum. He started in the 9th row and started making a bee line through the field from the drop of the green. Travis Berryhill was the first leader and established a nice lead early, getting good bite exiting turns 2 and 4, running a low line. Chad Boespflug was the driver on the move within the top ten and within a handful of laps was in a hard fought battle with Brent Beauchamp for the runner up spot. Which he would eventually win. It seemed that Berryhill's lead was on borrowed time and he would be Chad's next victim. But the leader didn't get that memo, apparently and just repeatedly fought Boespfug off. But by this point, both of them had a serious problem. And the problem was named Shane Cockrum. Who had come from his 17th starting position and was now in 3rd! But he was a good distance behind the top 2 runners. Then there was a yellow 12 laps in. Pretty soon after that, Cockrum, flying around the top went by both and it was good bye time. For 7 or 8 laps he stretched it out, but then his car started acting funny as he attacked the track's berm. And Berryhill started cutting into his lead quickly. And then everyone could see Shane had a flat right read as he quickly sank back through the field and eventually pulled off. Berryhill closed the show and earned his second victory in the last 3 weeks. It was heartbreaking for Cockrum, because he had really put on a show for this big group of fans before it all went away. And if anyone deserved to inherit this win, it was Berryhill, because not only did he fight off these tough challenges from Boespflug in this one, but he has also stepped his game up this year and fought hard battles up front in several other races that he didn't win. And these drivers set the stage for next weekend's MSCS triple header weekend, starting at Paragon and ending up back here. And I'm guessing a few "fireworks fans" kind of liked the on track fireworks and will be back for more.

Jerry