Both race winner Bradley McCaskill and runner-up T.J. Barron said the same thing after a sensational duel at Coastal Plains Raceway Park on Saturday: “That’s what it’s all about.”
McCaskill, driving for Louis White, started on the pole and led every lap of the race on the stat line – but had to deal with a relentless challenge from T.J. Barron for most of the race. A late race caution set up an overtime finish, and with Barron trapped up high, McCaskill was able to drive away for the win.
After the race, McCaskill was all smiles and talked about how much fun the race was.
“We had a good short-run speed car and [Barron] had a great long-run speed car,” McCaskill said. “We could race all night like that. That’s fun. That’s what it’s all about – good, clean, hard racing. I don’t mind laying on somebody. It’s really fun to race like that. Anytime you can run hard with these guys, and you know who you can race with like that, it’s just fun. That’s what it’s all about.”
Barron ultimately settled for a runner-up finish in the second race after he spent much of the race pressuring McCaskill for the lead. His gritty effort was made all the more impressive when he stated in victory lane that his power steering had went out.
“The power steering went out at the drop of the green flag,” Barron said. “That was tough. That was a hell of a race me and Bradley put on. I had fun. It’s been a long time since I’ve had a race like that, rubbing fenders, rubbing doors, that’s what it’s all about. That’s what makes it fun, just put on a good show for the fans.”
McCaskill dominated the first 40-lap race, leading 32 laps and holding off Jason York for the victory.
“These things don’t come easy anywhere we go,” McCaskill said after the first race. “It makes it nice when you got a good car and good support effort behind you. Louis has a heck of a car.”
McCaskill apologized in victory lane to York after the two got together earlier in the race – calling the unintentional contact a miscalculation.
“I did not mean to get into Jason like I did there, just misjudged it like crazy,” McCaskill stated. “I think we both had a car that was tit-for-tat there.”
York took his second-place finish in stride.
“We were just a little free up off,” York remarked. “Bradley definitely had the best car. It’s just racing.”
York let his son, Jamie, drive the car in the second 40-lap race. After a solid run, the younger York ultimately finished eighth after being caught up in a late-race incident.
Brandon Clements finished third in the first race while Paul Williamson recovered from an incident with Tyler Horne to finish third in the second.
Other winners: Travis Miller (Mini-Stock), Brenton Irving (Legends), Curtis Lanier (U-CAR), Carsyn Gillikin (Jr. Mini Cup), Steven Brewer (Sr. Mini Cup), and Sean Wales (Champ Kart).
Race #1 Results
- Bradley McCaskill
- Jason York
- Brandon Clements
- Paul Williamson
- Tyler Horne
- Gerald Benton
- Dylan Newsome
- Clifton Black
- Mike Cooper
- K. Barron
- Blake Bledsole
Race #2 Results
- Bradley McCaskill
- J. Barron
- Paul Williamson
- Gerald Benton
- Brandon Clements
- Dylan Newsome
- Mike Cooper
- Jamie York
- Clifton Black
- Tyler Horne
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