Zakk Miller won the 600-mile race last season on a pass over Tim McDonnell with 10 laps to go. He also won the first quad-oval night race of 2023 at Texas, and starts fifth on the grid tonight. Look for the #30 Bepis Mustang and other dark horses to take the crown jewel trophy away from the usual dominators, through supremacy and attrition alike.

Race Results

Points Standings

Race Recap

An engine stoppage on the #20 Coca-Cola Team Danger Zone Mustang initiated a pit-road crash involving he, Trey Larkin and Matt Raboin. The latter two would sustain hindering damage for the remainder of the event, while Michael continued on after a trip to the rear. Up front, pole-sitter Tony Pizzaro, Craig Lee, Alex Crapser and Adam Crapser intertwined the top-spot during the early going.

A lap-50 spin by Ben Geer brought out the first caution flag, ensuing with leader Adam Crapser exiting the pits with a damaged hood after fuel stops. He would be rendered uncompetitive for the remaining 500+ miles. His brother would endure the same fate after the restart, slamming hard into the inside wall after contact with John Tharp while exiting turn-2. Despite leading 29 of the initial 69 circuits, he would finish 45th and drop to 18th in the standings.

The subsequent restart initiated some of the best racing for the lead to date. A triumvirate of Chevrolet's battle for the top spot with the chief-less Craig Lee coming out on top. He would relinquish the position to Alan Nesfeder before leading a lap. John Battista would straddle his Lucas Racing horsepower to the front as the lone-dog for the company, remaining there for 28 laps.

Timothy McDonnell drove from the 41st starting spot to the front on lap 105. He would lead four laps before points leader Tony Pizzaro flew by in his race-sponsored Chevrolet. Dave Miller's Quick-Silver horsepower took the heap one lap later, creating a conga-line over fourth place Dan Johnston and the rest of the field.

Several multi-car accidents protruded the second segment of the event. Dalton Lucas tagged Dakota Wilkins entering turn-4 on lap 149, sending the #77 tail-first into the outside wall. Jonathan Skrabacz and Donald Stewart both crashed in attempt to avoid the accident. The ensing restart saw Delta Sim Racing teammates Trae Larkin and Ziggy Moonglow devour the inside backstretch barrier. Only Wilkins would continue on, limping home to 34th.

Lap 169 saw Tony Pizzaro re-take the lead from Tim McDonnell, who inherited the top-spot after leader Dave Miller strugged with his re-fueling system. Jimmie Stevens would make his way by for his first lead of the night, earning himself the best run of his 2023 season at a crown jewel event. He would remain there to lead the Halfway Bacon Bonus just before an Adam Crapser infield spin brought out the yellow.

The #2 lost the lead after green flag stops, watching Pizzaro and Matthew Dominique trade the top spot from his windshield view. Dominique and John Battista would continue the lead battle through lap 272 before a Chauncey Redmond Jr. spin brought out the caution flag. Markell Murphy and Mark Heron would stay out on seven-lap older tires to take the top-2 spots on the ensuing restart.

The biggest crash of the night set off and abundance of burnt rubber and fireworks into the grandstands. Ben Geer and Dalton Lucas made contact off of turn-4, clipping Craig Lee's hood. The #29 was sent for a tailspin of the century before flying into race traffic. Johnny Reed Foley and Randy Dobbins clobbered him, but were able to slow down enough for a less violent impact. The remainder of the field attempted to scramble through the carnage with little hope of sneaking through. Steven Spears, Ben Geer, Ziggy Moonglow, Dave Miller, Dakota Wilkins, Chauncey Redmond Jr., Rob Scarberry and Geno Sphere were all involved in the accident. Redmond, Moonglow and Geer failed to continue, dropping Ben outside the top-35 in points. Scarberry received minimal damage and finished 14th, giving him a provisional for next week's race in St. Louis.

Markell Murphy and Mark Heron were the only two drivers to take four tires on the next pit stop. Murp ... Read more »