LAKEVILLE, Conn. (August 18, 2007) – Mohegan Sun Chevrolet driver Matt Kobyluck of Uncasville, Conn., muscled his way to a spectacular victory in the NASCAR Busch East Series only road course race of the season Saturday afternoon.
The 82-lap, 125.46-mile event was a short-track style affair was action packed with five full course cautions and intermittent “local” caution periods.
Kobyluck led 46 of the event’s 82 laps on the 1.53-mile road course including the final five. But in a fireworks finish, Kobyluck and second place running Mike Olsen hit a patch of oil and slid off track in turn seven – the last turn of the last lap. Kobyluck manhandled his car back on course to retain the lead and post a .258-second margin of victory over Sean Caisse (No. 44 Casella Waste Systems Chevrolet). Jeff Anton (No. 30 Baran Institute/Engineered Floors Chevrolet) placed a career-high third, followed by Jesus Hernandez (No. 4 Allstate Insurance/Ginn Resorts Chevrolet), and Jeffrey Earnhardt (No. 1 Menard’s/Pittsburgh Paints Chevrolet). Olsen, in second place entering the turn, recovered to finish ninth.
“When we hit the oil, I thought my day was done,” Kobyluck said. “There was no way around it and we were carrying so much speed, we were going to slide no matter what we did. I got off course, and somehow saved it from spinning out. My elbow hit the kill-switch, killed he ignition, and all I hear on he radio is my crew chief saying ‘go-go-go-go-go.’ Finally I got it going, grabbed a gear, and took off.”
Completing the top-10 were James Buescher, the event’s defending champion Ruben Pardo, Peyton Sellers, Olsen, and Larry Moloney.
Point leader Joey Logano spun and struck a safety tire carrier on lap 43. After repairs were made, he returned to the event to finish 23rd, eight laps down. Logano arrived at Lime Rock with a 188-point lead over Kobyluck. Kobyluck’s win sliced the point margin almost in half, with Logano departing with a 92-point lead.
The series now moves to Mansfield (Ohio) Motorsports Park for an inaugural twin-bill of 150 lap events with the NASCAR Whelen Modified Series Saturday, August. 25.
Finish
Start
Car #
Driver
Hometown
Car
Laps
Money Won
Reason Out
1
1
40
Matt Kobyluck
Uncasville, Conn.
Mohegan Sun Chevrolet
82
$12,100
2
6
44
Sean Caisse
Pelham, N.H.
Casella Waste Management Chevrolet
82
$6,400
3
14
30
Jeff Anton
Russell, Mass.
Baran Institute/Engineered Floors Chevrolet
82
$6,400
4
21
4
Jesus Hernandez
Mexico City, Mexico
Allstate Chevrolet
82
$5,600
5
16
1
Jeffrey Earnhardt #
Mooresville, N.C.
Pittsburgh Paints/Menards Chevrolet
82
$4,000
6
7
31
James Buescher
Plano, Texas
Coca-Cola/deepfinish.com Chevrolet
82
$3,000
7
2
22
Ruben Pardo
Mexico City, Mexico
Family Dollar/Supercuts Dodge
82
$2,575
8
15
83
Peyton Sellers
Danville, Va.
Strutmasters.com Ford
82
$2,325
9
3
61
Mike Olsen
N. Haverhill, N.H.
Little Trees Chevrolet
82
$2,900
10
20
88
Larry Maloney
Waylong, Mass.
Komatsu/C.N. Wood Co. Ford
82
$1,625
11
12
35
Jerry Marquis
Broad Brook, Conn.
Waste Management Recycle America Dodge
82
$2,100
12
18
52
Jamie Hayes #
Norlina, N.C.
Hendrick Autoguard Chevrolet
82
$2,025
13
22
48
Eddie MacDonald
Rowley, Mass.
New England Mechanical Overlay Chevrolet
82
$2,000
14
26
5
Jonathan Smith #
Beacon Falls, Conn.
Kodak Chevrolet
82
$1,950
15
13
66
Chase Austin #
Eudora, Kan.
HomeLife Communities Dodge
82
$1,900
16
8
99
Bryon Chew
Mattituck, N.Y.
Buzz Chew Auto Group Chevrolet
82
$1,875
17
4
96
Mike Johnson
Salisbury, Mass.
Johnson Lumber Ford
81
$1,850
18
23
37
Michelle Theriault #
Bristol, Conn.
Glock, Inc. Chevrolet
81
$1,825
19
29
76
Jason Cochran
Marion, N.C.
Johnson Motorsports Chevrolet
80
$1,300
20
27
84
Dion Ciccarelli
Severn, Md.
Star Sales/Operation Gratitude Chevrolet
76
$1,800
21
5
16
Max Dumarey
Gent, Belgium
BodyCoach.net Dodge
76
$1,800
22
10
03
Rogelio Lopez #
Mexico City, Mexico
Telmex/Lucas Oil Ford
75
$1,800
23
9
20
Joey Logano #
Middletown, Conn.
Joe Gibbs Driven Chevrolet
74
$1,800
24
19
63
John Salemi
Nashua, N.H.
John Salemi Racing Chevrolet
68
$1,800
Engine
25
17
18
Marc Davis
Mitchelville, Md.
Joe Gibbs Driven Chevrolet
52
$1,800
Accident
26
28
26
Scott Bouley
Wolcott, Conn.
Cutting Edge Signs & Shirts Chevrolet
42
$1,800
27
24
41
James Pritchard Jr
Wharton, N.J.
Mannings USA Chevrolet
41
$1,800
Accident
28
25
3
Jeffrey Oakley
Prince George, Va.
Benjamin Moore Chevrolet
40
$1,300
Transmission
29
11
21
German Quiroga, Jr.
Mexico City, Mexico
Raintree Vacation/Aqua Pure Chevrolet
2
$1,800
Engine
Race Statistics
Fastest Qualifier: Matt Kobyluck, Time: 53.861 Seconds, Speed: 102.263 MPH
Failed to Qualify:none
Time of Race:2 hrs., 1 mins, 24 secs
Average Speed: 62.007 mph
Margin of Victory:.258 Seconds
AERO EXHAUST "LAP LEADER" AWARD: Matt Kobyluck, 40 Mohegan Sun Casino Chevrolet
BUDWEISER POLE AWARD: Matt Kobyluck, 40 Mohegan Sun Casino Chevrolet
FEATHERLITE "MOST IMPROVED DRIVER" : Jeffrey Earnhardt *, 1 Menard's/Pittsburgh Paints Chevrolet
POWERADE POWER MOVE OF THE RACE: Jesus Hernandez *, 4 Allstate Insurance/Ginn Resorts Chevrolet
SUNOCO ROOKIE OF THE RACE: Jesus Hernandez *, 4 Allstate Insurance/Ginn Resorts Chevrolet
Caution Flags: Laps 4-10 (oil on track); 24-37 (Car No. 41, Car No. 20, spin); 43-49 (Car No. 41, accident); 53-58 (Car No. 35, Car No. 18, accident); 69-74 (Car No. 52, Car No. 63, Car No. 76). 5 for 40 laps.
Lap Leaders: Matt Kobyluck 1-18, Ruben Pardo 19-25, Peyton Sellers 26, Max Dumarey * 27-34, Matt Kobyluck 35-58, Sean Caisse 59-60, Mike Olsen 61-77, Matt Kobyluck 78-82.
Total Laps Led: Matt Kobyluck 47, Mike Olsen 17, Max Dumarey * 8, Ruben Pardo 7, Sean Caisse 2, Peyton Sellers 1. 7 changes involving 6 drivers.
Top 10 Driver Points: Joey Logano 1588; 2. Matt Kobyluck 1496; 3. Peyton Sellers 1418; 4. Sean Caise 1407; 5. Mike Olsen 1367; 6. Jeff Anton 1324; 7. Jeffrey Earnhardt 1286; 8. Jamie Hayes 1285; 9. Rogelio Lopez 1262; 10. Marc Davis 1258.
Sunoco Rookie Standings: Joey Logano 82; 2. Rogelio Lopez 61; 3. Jeffrey Earnhardt 57; 4. Jamie Hayes 56; 5. Jesus Hernandez 56; 6. Marc Davis 49; 7. Michelle Theriault 46; 8. Chase Austin 41; 9. Jonathan Smith 33; 10. Max Dumarey 27; 11. Tm Schendel 26; 12. James Pritchard Jr. 17; 13. Richard Jarvis Jr. 12; 14. German Quiroga 5; 15. A.J. Lane 2; 16. Jonathan Cash 1.
Next Race:Mansfield, Ohio - August 25
