The MRD Pro Late Model Series were at the South Boston Speedway last night for their second and final round of Twin 75 races this season. The first 75 lap even would start off shortly after the SLM Series was on the track for their race, and the second 75 lap feature would roll off after the sun had set.
The first 75 lap race would see our normal standard qualifying, and Justin Brooks would set the quick lap for the pole. He would jump out quickly to the lead, with Matt Rolfe following early. But Rolfe would find trouble on lap 6 as the car would get out from under him to bring out the first yellow.
Kevin J Myers and James Poleske would both take turns running in the 2nd spot, with Poleske ultimately settling into the position for the remainder of the race.
But no one had anything for Brooks in the first session as he would lead every lap on his way to the victory. Poleske would finish 2nd, Myers in 3rd, with James Linkiewicz and Jarrett Lawrence picking off cars late in the race to finish top 5.
Points leader Clay Snider would receive damage early in the first race, and would have engine troubles before half-way, relegating him to a 16 place finish, while Rolfe, his closest competitor in the points, would finish just 1 spot better in 15th.
The second feature on the night would see a 6 car invert at the front of the field, leaving Jose Mejia and Lawrence on the front row. And with the night time air, and the lights hitting the track, the action picked up as drivers would be more aggressive throughout the second event.
Mejia would jump out front for the first 10 laps, before Myers was able to grab the top spot from him. But it wouldn’t take long for Brooks to get back to the front as he took the lead from Myers just 4 laps later as the caution came out.
From here on out, Brooks was able to hold off the field on the restarts, and he went on to win the second 75 lap race, sweeping both legs of the Twin 75’s. Poleske would end up finishing 2nd in both races, while Snider worked his way up from the last starting spot in the second race to finish 3rd. Matthew Eddy and Mejia would round out the top 5.
As drop weeks came into effect after this week’s race, Snider would see a bunch of his points lead disappear. But with his 3rd place finish in the second segment, and Rolfe having more issues with just a 10th place finish after retiring early, Snider would hang on to his points lead by just 12 points. But with next week’s race, another drop week will get taken out, meaning this points battle may come down to the final laps of the season.
Next week the series heads to NHMS as a part of SARA Speedweek. For full results and standings from last night’s race, click HERE.