Mason Diaz dominated Friday night’s 100 lap Pro Late Model feature at New Smyrna Speedway in New Smyrna Beach, Florida to score the victory, his first of the season.
Diaz set the fastest time in qualifying but had to start fourth after an invert. By lap 14, Diaz had rocketed to the lead and pulled away from the competition. However, Diaz had to survive a series of late race restarts and a challenge from veteran racer Mike Skinner.
“Fury Racecars and Mike Darne Racing gave me a great racecar today,” Diaz said in victory lane. “They non-stop worked on this thing. We unloaded from the trailer and was fast but they kept working on it, thrashing on it and it showed tonight. One more tomorrow, Super Late Model race, hopefully we can get the win in that.”
On the race’s final restart with 12 laps remaining, Skinner drew even and the two drivers traded paint, but Diaz fended off the challenge and drove away from the competition.
“I wasn’t sure what he was doing to be honest with you,” Diaz remarked. “He had to do what he had to do to win the race but it just wasn’t enough to beat us today.”
The victory is Diaz’s first of the 2018 season and his second career Pro Late Model victory. Last season, Diaz scored a Pro Late Model win at Southern National Motorsports Park in Lucama, North Carolina, the same track he won the NASCAR track championship in a Late Model Stock Car.
Diaz will now set his sights on the Super Late Model race on Saturday night. The race will be broadcast live on FansChoice.TV. NASCAR Home Tracks and Speed51.com will provide updates throughout the night as well.
Diaz’s efforts on Friday were supported by Solid Rock Carriers, The Sign Shop, Fury Race Cars and Mike Darne Racing.
To learn more about Mason Diaz Racing, check out his website at www.masondiaz24.com, “like” Mason Diaz Racing on Facebook or follow @masondiazracing on Twitter.
