Motor Sports Weekly News

Story and photos by: Drew Hierwarter

Brennan Poole (5) and Matt Kurzejewski (10) lead the field to the green flag.

Hudson, NC – At the end of the UARA-STARS “Xtreme Trophies and More 150” at Tri-County Motor Speedway on Saturday night, Brennan Poole did the obligatory burnout, the crew showered him with water, he got the trophy and the big foam core check, and the photographers took his picture.

 

The scene gave every indication that Poole had just won his fourth race of the season and third in a row.  But that was not the case. It took until 2:00 AM, but during the routine post-race inspection, UARA officials found some problems with Poole’s engine and he was disqualified. The win went to second place finisher Matt Kurzejewski.

 

The decision has been appealed by Poole’s car owner, Jamie Yelton and the process now moves to the UARA appeals board where the parties involved will plead their case. Until then the finishing order of the race is unofficial.

 

Although the name of the winner remains in doubt, the fans did see a great race. Kurzejewski started from the pole, but it was outside front row starter Poole who jumped into the lead right at the drop of the green. The two racers then ran nose to tail for the first 80 laps before a spin by Tyler English brought out the first caution period of the 150 lap race.

 

 Typical of the action throughout the pack, Alex Yonts (98) squeezes Lee Tissot (27) in turn 3.

 

Back in the pack, Scott Turlington, Coleman Pressley, Ronnie Basset, and Alex Yontz were having a heated battle of their own, neither driver seemingly able to gain an advantage on the others.

 

With 20 laps to go, Kyle Grissom gets into the back of Ronnie Bassett and is black flagged for rough driving. He returned to the track after making a stop-and-go run through the pits.

 

The final caution flag of the night fell on lap 145 when Scott Turlington spun Clint King resulting in a green-white-checkered finish.

 

 

 Scott Turlington’s crew rips away the damaged parts so he can return to the race. He was on his way to a good finish but instead would have to settle for the ARBodies Hard Luck Driver of the race.

 Matt Kurzejewski not only was declared the race winner after the aforementioned post race inspection, he also won the Sunoco Pole Award and the Rookie of the Race.  

 

 

 

1  Matt Kurzejewski
2  Garrett Campbell
3  Lee Tissot
4  Robert Johnson
5  Brandon Knupp
6  Kyle Grissom
7  Coleman Pressley
8  Matt Leicht
9  Clint King
10 Ronnie Bassett, Jr.
11 Alex Yontz
12 Michael Rouse
13 George Miedecke
14 Julia Dawson
15 Tyler English
16 Scott Turlington
17 Patrick Molesworth
18 Grant Wimbish
19 Kaleb Pressley
20 R.A. Brown
21 Brennan Poole

 

 

Update:  The UARA appeals board met on Tuesday, July 20th and it was determined that Matt Kurzejewski was the winner of the race. The results listed above are now official.