Gracie Trotter impressed in the K1 Speed Young Lions race on Tuesday night in the Shootout, leading 10 laps before falling to fifth before the 20-minute time limit expired.
The pole sitter held off charges from DJ Canipe, Ryan Heim, Sam Mayer throughout the night but slipped backwards after a shunt from behind on the final restart. An ill-timed push from Heim’s No. 18 entering turn one upset Trotter’s No. 11 Legend Car.
With Mayer choosing under yellow to restart on the outside, Trotter was pinned on the inside. Mayer took advantage on the outside lane, using momentum to swing by Trotter in Turn 4.
Before Trotter could recover and move forward, a six-car accident, started by Isabella Robusto and William Robusto, brought out the race-ending yellow and checkered flags. With the race beyond the time limit, Trotter was ultimately relegated to her fifth-place position for the finish.
“Going into one on that last restart, I thought I had it, but I got a shove there going in and it messed me up,” Trotter said. “I got a little loose, and they got around me. It sucks to end it that way, but it is what it is and I’ll get a better finish next week.”
Trotter was attempting to earn her second win of the season after becoming the first woman to win in the K1 Speed Young Lions division back during the opening week of the Shootout.
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“We have a fast car thanks to Joe Ryan. I think we have some more wins coming for us soon. I need to thank Calico Coatings, Toyota Racing Development, my Dad, and the good Lord above us.”
Trotter dominated the first 10 laps of the race. She started on the pole and pulled away from field in the early stages of the race. Canipe, Heim, and Mayer battled for second as it seemed that none could find a way around Trotter. A late caution on lap nine for the stalled car of JR Weidman ended her domination.
When the race was ended, Mayer found himself in the lead, and was declared the race winner with Heim finishing second. Canipe finished third, with Harrison Halder fourth, and Trotter fifth.
After salvaging a top five finish, Trotter said was forced to compromise between her expectations and the reality of the night.
“It’s not what we hope for, but we’ll take it. It’s a good finish and good for the points, so it was alright.”
Trotter entered the night eighth in points, behind several that finished up front, including race winner Mayer, as well as ahead of several involved in incidents including Isabella Robusto. Trotter’s fifth place finish moves her to seventh in points, closing the gap on Nicholas Sanchez and Josh Kossek.
Now Trotter knows she has the speed and will look to close the deal in Round 6 of the K1 Speed Young Lions division in the BoJangles Summer Shootout Series at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
