The 2017 Summer Season officially came to a close on Thursday night when The Button Box Shop Super Series took the checkered flag in the HidesPride.com Throwback 200 at Lanier. Entering the night, Christian Challiner already locked up the title, which meant the focus of the evening would be on the throwback schemes, and the battle for the win.
Race Winner – After a 7-car invert, Ty Spearman and his 1973 Red Farmer throwback led the field to the green flag and led the opening 26 laps. On lap 27, Adam Benefiel and his 1999 Adam Petty throwback scheme worked his way under Spearman for the lead, and then took control of the race for a while during the course of some early cautions. After a lap 103 restart, the battle for the lead heated up when Tim Bills and his 1987 Bobby Allison scheme joined the fight, and Benefiel and Bills would run side-by-side for nearly 20 laps, before Bills finally gained the advantage. The race would go caution free for the final 97 laps, allowing Bills to extend his lead and he would hold on to pick up his 2nd win of the season, and his 24th career SARA victory.
Pole Award – Christian Challiner and his Martin Truex Jr. tribute to Ralph Earnhardt throwback, added his 2nd pole of the season with a lap of 12.752 seconds.
Hard Charger – Christian Pedersen started back in the 25th spot and climbed up in the second half of the race to finish 8th, gaining 17 spots on the night.
Rookie of the Race – Adam Benefiel led over 100 laps before dropping down to finish on the podium in 3rd as the top rookie. Christian Challiner would officially score Rookie of the Season honors with 77 of a possibly 80 points, ahead of Benefiel with 73 points.
Title Fight – Christian Challiner locked up the championship last week in Irwindale, then still finished off the season strong with a 4th place finish to win the title by 31 points. Challiner’s championship season consisted of 11 starts, 2 poles, 3 wins, 10 top tens, 10 top fives, and and 394 laps led. Congrats to Christian Challiner, the 2017 Summer Season The Button Box Shop Super Series champion!
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