Race Report: Superspeedway Series @ Talladega
by Chris Cunningham, July 21st, 2010 09:15 PM
Vidane Racing's second installment in their signature Super Speedway Series involved some of the most competitive racing the league has seen in its history. The 175 mile race featured many series regulars as well as new drivers who wanted to prove that they could race with some of the best Sim racers on the net.Jon "Grizzly" Adams dominated at Daytona, but his absence at Talladega opened the door for his teammate, Jeremy Hughes to look at the big picture and take advantage of a great points situation that his teammate had sketched for him. Jeremy Hughes gained the points lead after a long hard fought battle with Neil Frohlich, who crossed the line in style over the series leader after a series of three chain reaction wrecks.
It was Allen Krier that led the 31 car field to the green flag. Action already heated up as the drivers quickly sorted out strategy and arranged themselves up towards the front. Krier dominated the early part of the race, leading roughly a third of the race (22 Laps).
The first caution came out on lap 22, involving three drivers. Krier unfortunately never recovered his lead, as he decided to pit and position himself to outlast his competitors on fuel for the remainder of the race.
Carson Downs inherited the lead after electing not to pit, and lead the next 10 laps of the race. Tyler Burgess also had a short stint as the leader, leading a mere 5 laps. Neil Frohlich then made his move, after originally starting back in 21st.
Frohlich did not win the race easy. Throughout the race he was challenged by relentless Travis Pinney, who shadowed Frohlich through the duration of his time as the leader of the race. Jeremy Hughes and teammates Burgess and Brandon Williamson also tried to overtake the driver whose strategy prevailed.
Frohlich's great restarts proved to be the key of his success, as Frohlich had to outrace the field during three back to back (to back) cautions, two of the three involving cut tires that sent drivers Chris Cunningham and Anthony Hurkula engulfing the main field.
Under caution on Lap 66, Frohlich crossed the line as the winner of the Vidane Racing 175. Frohlich is pleased to enjoy sitting 14th in the points after missing the first race of the season. Pinney, Hughes, Williamson, and Krier rounded out the top 5.
Jeremy Hughes now sits 55 points ahead of Jesse Altman in the series standings. Altman ended up with an 11th place finish at Talladega.
Two weeks from now the series will return to Daytona International Speedway. Vidane Officials have not yet confirmed if Grizzly Adams is scheduled to race.
