​Coon held the lead in the final laps of the race, and as he came out of the final turn, Benny Seitzer pulled out looking to steal a spot in the playoffs.
The difference in this scenario might have been track length, as Seitzer did not have the time to beat the #19 to the line. While Coon appeared safe in the playoffs whether he won or not, he now carries a three-point advantage into the first round of the Chase. Watson, meanwhile, came into the race below the 25th-place standing cut line needed to make the postseason and needed at least a decent finish. After being caught up in pit road contact with Derek Anderline, he finished 30th and fell out of championship contention. He's the only race winner across the NFRN's three series to not make the playoffs. His loss was Jasper Rowles' gain. The #01 team found itself in an intense battle with Jesse Makana once Watson's fallout opened up another spot in the playoffs. Tied at the white flag lap, Rowles had trucks to pass for points while Makana followed no one and ended up passed by two other drivers, bringing him just short of vying for a title. Steve Rea also had a good enough finish to advance. James Smith, who came into the race above the cut line, spun onto pit lane and suffered a bad finish that also eliminated him. Here's what some of the players in the battle had to say: #19 crew chief Lenny Camille: "We're really glad Adam was able to hold them off,. If I had it my way, I probably would've wanted to be where the #83 was, but I think the slow truck on the bottom saved us, kept us all in the same line." Watson: "We had a miscommunication with our spotter. I didn't know the #26 had the first stall. If I'd been told, I would've went more outside entering the pits. I'm just really disappointed that we started the season so well and it ended like this. At this point, we just have to prove we belong here." Rowles: "This is so great for our team and our partners. There were a couple times in the first half of the season we faltered, but we were top half of the field the past four races and that really showed the strength of our truck. I can't wait to get to Toronto Lakeshore [Speedway] and charge toward a title." Makana: "Just bad circumstances there. The race after pit stops didn't play into our hands and we couldn't stay in a big pack. Mayville [Lakeside Park] was possibly our best chance just to win and be in, and now we're the first guys out. Really hoping I can get my guys to victory lane this season." Comments are closed.
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