This past Thursday night, The Button Box Shop Super Series made their second trip to a one-mile track as they took on the Phoenix International Raceway under the lights in a 100-lap feature for the TUNDRA Super Late Models 100. A total of 39 drivers would attempt to qualify, for the 30-car starting grid.
Race Winner – During the first half of the race, it was Adam Benefiel and Christian Challiner, the top two drivers in points, that charged to the front of the field. Benefiel took the lead away from Dallas Pataska by lap 15, and then exchanged the lead twice with Challiner during a long green flag run. Most of the field would use a lap 66 caution to head down pit road for tires, and Benefiel would hand over the lead to Derek Robinson who had pit earlier in the race. But it didn’t take long for Benefiel to retake the lead, and he would hold off Challiner in the closing laps to pick up his 3rd win of the season.
Pole Award – Derek Holzhausen topped the field by over a tenth of a second with a lap of 26.631 seconds, for his 4th pole of the season and his 17th career SARA pole.
Hard Charger – Jason Miller started outside the top twenty and worked his way forward all night, ending up with a 5th place finish for a gain of 16 positions.
Rookie of the Race – Once again it was Adam Benefiel that beat out Christian Challiner as the top rookie as he picked up the victory.
Other Notables – Evan Sorensen (4th), Jason Miller (5th), and Tyler Brown (6th) each picked up their best career Super Series finish. Samuel Roush, Matt Rolfe, and Derek Robinson were the only three to attempt an early pit strategy taking tires before halfway but it didn’t work out as they all dropped outside the top ten.
Title Fight – With Benefiel’s win, he closed the points gap atop the standings down to just three points over Challiner with just three races remaining on the schedule, setting up another close championship battle.
Up Next – The Super Series will make the trip to the Iowa Speedway for the 9th race of the season in the Lions Club International 100.
The Button Box Shop Super Series Division Page
Penalty Box
Results
Standings
Standings