9/28/2018
Race for Hope
Jordan Grabouski Claims Final Qualifying Night Feature Win at Mark Martin’s Race For Hope 74
By Mike Spieker
BATESVILLE, Ark. (September 28, 2018) – Former IMCA Modified national champion, Jordan Grabouski, claimed the third and final qualifying night feature win Friday night at Mark Martin’s Race For Hope 74 at Batesville Motor Speedway.
In his Mark Martin / Valvoline throwback paint scheme, Chase Allen took the lead on the opening lap from the front row as Tanner Black and Grabouski fought for second. A restart on lap 10 of 30 gave Grabouski a shot at the lead in turn one, but Grabouski couldn’t complete the pass exiting the corner.
On the following lap, Grabouski dove to the inside of Allen into turn one. Out of turn two, the two leaders made heavy contact, which forced Allen up the track. Grabouski claimed the lead as Jeff Taylor capitalized to gain second.
Taylor and Allen fought for the runner-up position for nearly the remainder of the event until Allen regained the spot with five laps to go. Grabouski went on to take the win by nearly two and a half seconds as Allen, Taylor, Black and Jesse Sobbing rounded out the top five.
“It feels great to get a win tonight,” said Grabouski after the race. “I didn’t mean to get into (Chase) Allen there. It was just a racing deal. I’m looking forward to the 74-lap feature tomorrow.”
“I felt like we had a winning car tonight,” commented Allen. “We got the shaft over there in turn two, but we ran a tough second. We’ll regroup and get ready for the big one tomorrow.”
Tom Berry Jr., Timmy Culp, and Tim Ward finished sixth through eighth, respectively, and nabbed the final transfer positions into Saturday night’s main event.
The second annual Race For Hope 74 concludes on Saturday with the 74-lap, $20,000-to-win main event. Ricky Thornton Jr., Kyle Strickler, and Jordan Grabouski will lead the 28-car field to the green flag for the three-wide start.
Also on the card for Saturday will be the $1,000-to-win State’s Race and Manufacturer’s Race, along with the Last Chance Qualifier.
If you can’t make it to Batesville Motor Speedway on Saturday, watch every lap live on www.imca.tv.
For more information, visit www.raceforhope71.com and www.batesvillemotorspeedway.com.
RESULTS:
A-Feature: 1. Jordan Grabouski, 2. Chase Allen, 3. Jeff Taylor, 4. Tanner Black, 5. Jesse Sobbing, 6. Tom Berry, 7. Jake O Neil, 8. Timmy Culp, 9. Tim Ward, 10. Jesse Dennis, 11. Chris Elliot, 12. Kurt Kile, 13. Shawn Walsh, 14. Ryan Gaylord, 15. Richie Gustin, 16. Tyler Stevens, 17. Ashton Wilkey, 18. Cody Laney, 19. Marcus Yarie, 20. Christy Barnett, 21. Grey Ferrando, 22. Jason Beaulieu, 23. Richie Tosh, 24. Steven Bowers Jr., 25. Neal Flowers, 26. John Burrow Jr., 27. Gavin Landers, 28. Donnie Barnhart, 29. Robby Arnold, 30. Wyatt Block.
Article Credit: Mike Spieker
Submitted By: Jackson Braun