DILLON, SC – Carson Kvapil flexed some muscle early and often in Saturday’s Carolina Pro Late Model Series race at Dillon Motor Speedway – the inaugural race for the startup tour.

Kvapil rocketed to the lead on the opening lap and led every single lap, surviving several restarts throughout the race to win.  The victory was satisfying for Kvapil, who, like most in Saturday’s field, was competing in his first post-crisis race.

“We’ve been working on this car all winter,” Kvapil told Race22.  “This thing was a bare frame with interior in December.  Me, my dad and my guys worked really hard on it this winter and made a really good piece.  It was really fast.  It’s really nice to see all the hours we put in this winter pay off.”

Devin O’Connell and Nick Loden, both in no. 43 cars, spent much of the race battling for the runner-up spot after Amber Lynn wrecked while running in second on lap 49.  Loden, who said he learned a lot about passing and tire wear in the race, ended up taking the position.

“I feel pretty good about this run,” Loden said.  “My first year in these cars, first race.  I’ve never raced with that much power.  I finished second that high.  I’m pretty proud of this finish.  It was tough at first but I picked it up pretty quick I think.  Last year in the 602 Series, I kept getting caught up in wrecks and didn’t learn too much.”

Devin O’Connell came home with a third place finish.

“We had a really good day,” O’Connell said.  “We struggled a lot last year, so we’re coming in with a top-three finish right out of the gate at a track we don’t have a lot of laps in a Late Model at.  It’s a confidence booster.”

Mike Toner, Jr. finished fourth while Kodie Conner rounded out the top-five.  Toni Briedinger finished sixth – the last car on the lead lap in the attrition-filled race.

The next race for the Carolina Pro Late Model Series will be on June 13th at Orange County Speedway in Rougemont, North Carolina.

Results

  1. Carson Kvapil
  2. Nick Loden
  3. Devin O’Connell
  4. Mike Toner, Jr.
  5. Kodie Conner
  6. Toni Breidinger
  7. Jimmy Renfrew, Jr.
  8. Zach Keller
  9. Kevin Folan
  10. Lee Tissot
  11. Chad Malloy
  12. William Cox, III
  13. Bill Catania
  14. Kyle Campbell
  15. Amber Lynn
  16. Matt Henley
  17. Boo Boo Dalton
  18. Garrett Smithley
  19. Alex Fleming