The last time Sean Grosman (No. 29 SMG Motorsports/Rylex Glass & Mirror Chevrolet) found victory lane, it was September of 2010. At the time, Grosman was a freshly converted road course specialist with little more than 3 months of experience behind the wheel of a Limited Late Model. For his second career triumph, Grosman returned to the same victory lane a budding LLM veteran, having just completed the most impressive performance of his short track career.
The 30-lap August 18 contest would open up with Dario Capirchio (No. 03 Innisfil Machine and Welding Chevrolet) flexing his muscle at the front of the field with Grosman trailing. The cat and mouse game would continue until lap-14, when the Golden Beach, FL driver would finally slip past Capirchio to take the top spot.
Grosman would pad his leas as Capirchio worked to keep hold of the runner-up position, as veterans Tom Walters (No. 47 McColl Racing Enterprises/Pro Floor Sanding & Refinishing Ford) and Jason Witty (No. 19 Matco Tools/Larue’s Haulage Chevrolet) began to pressure.
Walters would finally wear Capirchio down and take the position on lap-19, leaving the Bradford, ON legend only 11 laps to catch and make a pass on his teammate Sean Grosman.
The battle would come to a head on lap-22, with Walters reaching and making contact with the rear bumper of Grosman’s mount. Try as he could to rattle the cage of the incumbent leader, Walters was not able to open up a big enough hole to squeeze through.
On the final lap, as the leaders sped down the back-straightaway, Walters would inch his nose inside of Grosman but could not make a pass stick. ‘The Frequent Flyer’ would hold off his mentor through the final 2 turns, capturing his first victory of the 2012 season.
“My hat goes off to my crew – Tom [Walters] definitely did not give me any room, but I didn’t mind having him behind me because I knew nothing funny was going to happen”, beamed Grosman in victory lane.
“Jaime [Sutton] made a great call on tire selection today and really talked me through the last couple laps.”
When asked about his race-winning pass on Capirchio, Grosman noted “I could see in the first 10 laps which way [Dario]’s car was going. The mid-race restarts were key and my spotter was fantastic”
“No one told me that [Tom Walters] was there on the last lap, so I was flying by a wing and a prayer” admitted the third-year competitor “This is what it’s about for me, putting on a show for people!”.
In Super Stock action, defending track champion Lane Zardo (No. 46 Holmes Foundation/Smart Screen Monte Carlo) captured his third victory of the season in a grueling 30-lap performance.
The Brampton, ON high-school student moved from his 4th row starting position to capture the lead on lap-14 from former champion Paul Maltese (No. 28 Crime Stoppers/Ontario Steel Sales Monte Carlo).
From there, Zardo withstood a barrage of pressure from long-time rival Randy Rusnell (No. 72 Spira Fire Protection/McCordick Glove & Safety Monte Carlo) and current division point leader Nick Roth (No. 17 JR Automotive Camaro) to reach victory lane.
“I had to take some chances tonight, the last couple of laps we really started to pick up. I don’t know if these other guys were falling off or if my car was starting to break in. I wasn’t pulling on them, but I wasn’t losing ground to them either”, nodded Zardo after climbing from his winning ride.
“I have to give it up to my competitors, these guys are the best in the province and they were right on me, so I have to give them credit”
When asked if he could get back to victory lane over the course of Sunset’s upcoming double-shot weekend on August 25th and 26th, Zardo replied with a smirk, “I’ve got confidence. I think I can do it”
In Mini Stock competition, up-and-coming sophomore James Low (No. 29 Master Mechanic of Newmarket Mustang) completed his first career hat trick, triumphing over both of his heat races and winning his first ever feature race, leading 24 of 25 laps.
“We’ve been having some troubles, but things are coming together now and it’s working good!” beamed the first time winning flanked by a large number of friends, family, crew and supporters.
The 23-year old explained that his ride is beginning to compete at its full potential after a trip to Merv Walt’s Frame Shop in Huntsville. “This car was bent about two inches on the right side for the first half of the season, but we’ve straightened the frame now and it’s working!”
By Spencer Lewis / Sunset Speedway
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