Qualifying Results

Surgery was a success for Geno Sphere, who has been modified from "critical" to "critical but stable" condition after a horrifying practice crash caused him to nearly drown in his own blood. The son of Extravaganza Champion G.G. Sphere remains in a coma at the McLeod Hospital in nearby Florence, South Carolina. The lack of on-track success this season was an enormous disappointment to Sphere and Twisted Metal Racing, who had attempted to re-energize their second team after the Brodrick Wittmann suspension left them in limbo two years ago. "It was a huge disadvantage for me not having a teammate to share information with" said Cristian Torres, who has the entire enterprise on his shoulders. "Geno's wisdom gave us an enormous advantage at Bristol and Dover this season. It was devastating to see what happened yesterday."

Matthew Dominique may have pulled off the most commendable points lead steal of all time, finishing 24th or better in the last 17 races. Despite only leading 45 laps during that span (2.6 laps per race), his average finish of 13.5 propelled him to the top while Rick Jackson and Tony Pizzaro fell into trouble down the stretch. He may become the second Extravaganza Series Champion in-a-row to win without a victory on the season. Rick Jackson and Alex Crapser are also on that path, leading 1,371 laps and recording 20 top-5's combined without a win. The two odds-on Championship favorites (Ryan Heuser and Tim McDonnell) to begin the season are both out, earning Pigeon Forge, Tennessee's Eddie Albers nearly $1,000,000 in winnings after an improbable bet. "This makes up for picking Aaron to win the Championship last season.  He was the track champ at Flat Gap Fairgrounds across the street. I walked into the graveyard they built over the old track and a voice told me "McDonnell will crumble, and Heuser will tumble". I knew what I had to do from there." Eddie plans on buying a wind turbine with his earnings. "I don't have to hunt anymore. The birds fly right into them! I'll never go hungry again."

Current Points Positions (Race 26 of 36)
1. Matthew Dominique: -
2. John Battista: -5
3. Johnny Reed Foley: -10
4. Rick Jackson: -15
5. Tony Pizzaro: -20
6. Zach Michael: -25
7. Craig Lee: -30
8. Dave Miller: -35
9. Donald Stewart: -40
10. Alex Crapser: -45

Friday, September 16th, 9:00 ET