Late Model Showdown: In the thrilling culmination of the JR Motorsports Late Model season at Florence Motor Speedway, Carson Kvapil and Dale Earnhardt Jr. showcased exceptional performances. Kvapil secured an impressive third-place finish while Earnhardt Jr. held strong, securing a commendable eighth place in the 250-lap fall classic.
Kvapil, a two-time defending Solid Rock Carriers CARS Tour LMSC champion, embarked on his race from 11th in the 250-lap classic, steering the No. 8 Bass Pro Shops/TRACKER Boats & ATVs Chevrolet. Meanwhile, Earnhardt Jr. navigated from 26th in his No. 3 Bass Pro Shops machine.
Covering 250 laps on the abrasive track demanded tire conservation, a strategy both drivers adeptly executed until the break. Numerous caution flags, including a red flag-inducing flip in Turn 3, prompted NASCAR officials to advance the planned break from lap 125 to lap 100, allowing teams to refuel and replace tires.
By the break, Kvapil surged to eighth, and Dale Earnhardt Jr. climbed to 12th. Both cars opted for fresh tires and adjustments, gearing up for the final 150-lap stretch. NASCAR officials ensured teams had sufficient fuel by arranging another red-flag stop if necessary.
Post-restart, Kvapil advanced to sixth, while Earnhardt Jr. cracked the top 10, both drivers conserving for the race’s climax.
With 75 laps to go, Kvapil initiated his ascent toward the front. Seizing fifth from polesitter Josh Berry at lap 167, Kvapil claimed fourth by overtaking Kaden Honeycutt at lap 179. Meanwhile, Earnhardt Jr. held 12th position.
At lap 212, an on-track incident prompted a caution, leading to the promised fuel stop.
This set the stage for a gripping 38-lap finale. On the restart, Kvapil took the lead momentarily before relinquishing it to Kade Brown. Earnhardt Jr. surged to seventh in time for another yellow.
On the ultimate restart, Kvapil maneuvered to third, trailing Brown and Honeycutt. Yet, Honeycutt, wary of Kvapil’s prior moves, blocked Kvapil’s advances by securing the top lane.
Throughout the remaining laps, Kvapil contested fiercely for third, while Dale Earnhardt Jr. oscillated between seventh and 10th before securing eighth just nine laps from the checkered flag.
Reflecting on the race, Kvapil expressed contentment despite narrowly missing a higher finish. “We were better than the 10 car (Honeycutt), but I couldn’t make any moves on him. Track isn’t wide enough. It was a good day overall. I should have finished second and had a shot to win it, but I’m happy with the result.”
For Earnhardt Jr., the eighth-place finish marked an improvement from his previous year’s debut and brought satisfaction. “I have to figure out how to get a little more speed out of it in qualifying so I don’t have to work so hard. It’s hard to pass. The top has come in really well here, you can hold people off if you’re running well. That makes it hard to drive through the field in the last 20 laps.”
Brown led the pack, followed by Honeycutt and Kvapil, concluding an eventful race that saw both drivers showcase their skills and determination on the track.
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