It was the big event for the Farm Bureau Insurance Sportsman Series – their longest and most prestigious race of the season: the annual Farm Bureau Insurance Sportsman 100. The 100-lapper, as always, was a wild battle with
double-file challenges, wrecks, and several battles for the lead.
John Holleman of Winston-Salem qualified on the pole and shot out into the lead for the start of the race. Michael Adams of Yadkinville, Taylor Branch of Lewisville, and Derek Stoltz of Walkertown all tried their hand at passing
Holleman on the outside, but none were successful.
On lap 55, Stoltz gave a stiff tap to the rear end of Holleman, making a hole that Stoltz filled on the inside row. Stoltz was able to complete the pass and take the lead, while Holleman fell back several positions as he was caught
on the outside row.
Stoltz, who won the 100-lapper for two out of the last three seasons, seemed to be a shoe-in for the checkered flag again in 2015. Tommy Neal of Walkertown couldn’t shake him. Taylor Branch gave it an unsuccessful shot as
well.
But nothing is ever over until the checkered flag waves at Bowman Gray Stadium. During the last double-file restart, Holleman moved up to the outside to attempt to reclaim the lead from Stoltz. The two battled hard, banging
fenders in a no-holds barred fight for the lead.
As a result of the struggle, Stoltz’s car was damaged and he slammed the guardrail, unable to properly steer. Taylor Branch saw his opportunity and soared forward from third, to the inside of Stoltz and Holleman – claiming the lead and going on to win.
“This 100-lapper is everything it lives up to be. It’s always drama and beating and banging. It’s fun and it can be depressing,” said Branch. “Things fell the way they fell and we got the trophy.”
