Penultimate World Series race sets up tremendous championship battle

Carson Brown got to celebrate this one the traditional way.

The young Anthony Campi Racing driver led all 35 laps to claim a Race Four victory in the Super Late Model World Series of Asphalt on Wednesday at New Smyrna Speedway. 

Brown was fastest in qualifying ahead of a race that started straight up and was left unchallenged by all the championship contenders in the top-five.

“We’ve had a really good car these past few nights,” said Brown in victory lane. “Unfortunately, we just haven’t really been able to get it done. We’ve had such a good long-run car, but there’s been a lot of cautions. It feels good to get a green-flag run.

“It means a lot. I feel like we’ve been so good but had a lot of let-downs. To get two wins here so far feels really good.”

Boschele finished second and drew even with fourth-place finisher Derek Griffith in the week-long championship that concludes on Thursday in the Orange Blossom 100.

“I want to win, but it helps with the points here,” said Boschele. “We missed it a little bit there. It was a little too free for the long run, so we’ve got to get it better for the 100-lapper tomorrow. I can’t thank all of the Wilson guys enough. This JBL Toyota Camry was really good, it just needs to be a little bit better.”

Standings Update

Gavan Boschele +0
Derek Griffith -0
Cory Hall -4
George Phillips -8

Boschele says he isn’t counting points and is just trying to win races. He was only told by his Wilson Motorsports team that he and Griffith were tied by the end of 35 laps on Wednesday.

“My mentality is to win and it takes care of itself,” he said. “Me and these Wilson Motorsports boys are going to go back up to the pit area and get it better for 100 laps.

Previous champions during Florida Speedweeks include Gary Balough, Pete Hamilton, Freddy Fryar, Junior Hanley, Mark Martin, Pete Orr, David Rogers, Zane Smith, Ty Majeski, Harrison Burton and Bubba Pollard.

“It would be really cool to add my name to that list after winning the ASA race and all the podiums,” Boschele said.

Griffith already has two World Series championships but has yet to win this week. Which is the priority?

It’s a familiar answer.

“I’ve always been of the mindset that winning races takes care of the points,” he said.