Story By: BROOKE FRANCESCHINI / NASCAR – NEW SMYRNA, FL – Harrison Burton made it two in a row at New Smyrna Speedway, but not the way he planned.
The 16-year-old was awarded the victory after Ty Majeki was disqualified during the post-race inspection after his fuel cell was found gutted.
The Huntersville, North Carolina, driver started the 75-lap race on the pole, but lost the lead to Stephen Nasse early in the race.
“It wasn’t the way we wanted to win,” said the NASCAR Next driver. “We want to come out here and beat everyone by a half of a race track. But some nights you can’t do that and sometimes it’s better to be lucky than good. We still won two in a row and we had to pass Nasse with five to go to be in position to win that race.
“That’s why you never give up and you never quit, because you never know what’s going to happen on and off the race track, as we saw here tonight.”
Burton’s fellow NASCAR Next – an industry initiative designed to spotlight the sport’s rising stars – classmate Majeski initially won the race after taking the lead from Nasse with nine laps to go. After racing side-by-side around the track, the 22-year-old Seymour, Wisconsin, native made contact with Nasse’s door in Turn 4 to drive away with the win.
Dalton Armstrong finished third while Daniel Keene, Jr. and defending New Smyrna Speedway champion Brad May rounded out the top-five.
Nasse was originally awarded the third spot, but he was also disqualified post-race for gutting his fuel cell.
David Rogers, Derek Griffith, Spencer Davis, Cole Anderson and Derek Kraus completed the top 10.
With tonight’s victory, Burton has a commanding lead in the Super Late Model championship standings.
The Super Late Model division will be back in action Wednesday for a 35-lap feature.
Tyler Rypkema won the 35-lap Tour Type Modified race while Jerry Symons took home the win in the 75-lap Florida Modified victory.
Night six of the World Series of Asphalt Stock Car Racing will take place Wednesday with Tour Modifieds, Florida Modifieds and Pro Late Model divisions joining the Super Late Models in an action-packed night at New Smyrna Speedway.