Boone wins Pensacola PLM finale, Bolen crowned champ

A championship battle full of several surprises provided plenty more during Saturday’s season finale.

Five Flags Speedway Pro Late Model points leader Dylan Fetcho came into the week with John Bolen in second. For the first three quarters of the 100-lapper Pro Late Model event, it looked like Fetcho was poised for the championship triumph. That was, until Fetcho lost it in turns 1 and 2, hitting the outside wall and ending his night.

https://twitter.com/RacingAmerica/status/1705744650709983648

After this transpired, Dawson Sutton was in the points lead, as Bolen had been sitting back in the back half of the top ten. Upon the restart following Fetcho’s exit, Bolen needed to go from ninth position to sixth position to take the points lead away from Sutton. Bolen’s drive through the field almost came to an end, as Bryson Shaffer and Seth Christensen both spun right in front of Bolen.

Fortunately, he was able to avoid any carnage. Following the ensuing restart, Dawson Sutton was passed late in the race by Jackson Boone, who went on to win the Allen Turner Tune-Up 100. Bolen also benefitted from the restart, moving up to fifth position to secure the Pro Late Model track championship.

“Knew we had to run our race and make it back to the top five to salvage our night. Fortunately, Fetcho had a bad night and that was the only way we were going to catch him. Really wanted to battle it out instead, while we were all on the track. I really hate that for him. (The Fetcho crew) are good people.”

“It was like a Days of Thunder moment,” Bolen said about his move to avoid Shaffer and Christensen spinning in front of him. “Just kinda had to shoot the gap, hold the gas, and hope you cleared it before they closed up. If i turned left, I think I would’ve spun into them. But, it worked out, and it was just meant to be.”

Pro Late Model Allen Turner Tune-Up 100
Five Flags Speedway
September 23 2023

1. Jackson Boone
2. Dawson Sutton
3. Gavan Boschele
4. Christopher Tullis
5. John Bolen
6. Jason Vail
7. Gavin Graham
8. Seth Christensen
9. Dustin Smith
10. Carson Brown
11. Johnny Aramendia
12. Hudson Bulger
13. Jim Wall
14. Jensen Jorgensen
15. Jolynn Wilkinson
16. Bryson Shaffer
17. Dylan Fetcho
18. Elliott Massey
19. Johanna Robbins
20. Luke Yarbrough
21. Keith Thorpe

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