"We're really proud of our driver," crew chief Titus Ivan said. "There's only so many adjustments we can make on this race track, and his driving talent shone through there at the end."
Baskinger and Sparky the Sun Devil traded the top spot for multiple laps until the #16 made a mistake in turn 1 that he was not able to recover from. Baskinger was 5th in points at the time, in position to earn an open playoff spot on points, but his victory means he won't need to stress in that area and it will also help drivers who are right near the cut line seeking a win. William Brock also gained enough points to become the first and only driver currently clinched into the NECS playoffs. The end of the race saw a longer green flag run than any point before then thanks to numerous accidents that took out big contenders. One of the notable incidents was an accident committed by a couple of lapped cars, Hierjel Arvin Alonso and Eric Monaco, coming off a green flag. The #33, still at competitive speed, ran over the #10 off of turn 1, forcing Alonso onto the apron until he came back up into Monaco in turn 2, collecting Stephen Willey. When the trio fell back down the track into traffic, Jek Porkins, who led most of the race to that point before making a pit stop, plowed into the #62 and dropped out of the race, as did nine other drivers from the accident. Zen Joltis Quad Oval Mega Speedway winner David Davidson was also wrecked in the crash as he remains outside the top-25 in points. "We’ll just have to try even harder in the next two races, and hopefully not get caught up in any more wrecks," Davidson said. Some drivers were not happy with Alonso on the way that accident turned out, including Dalejrfan8883, who was not involved in the crash. "I don't know what that #10 was thinking earlier in the race but that was a f---ing stupid move and he needs to be suspended for that. I think everyone agrees." Alonso didn't comment on the accident and instead called out Kyle Law for an incident on the first lap that likely gave the #10 the damage that made him slow. "Kyle has been aggressive since my runner-up finish at NACS (at Nox Raceway where Law won), and I think it is intentional. I hope NFRN will investigate this." It appears the NFRN has concluded its review on both incidents.
While Baskinger succeeded in the clutch at the cut line, others were not so lucky at Castle Gorge. Dalejrfan8883 was involved in the accident involving polesitter TheOtherJR in turn 2, giving him a heavy hit that took those two out of the race. Brad Stover was also in a wreck with previous winners Jonny Gardner and Amethyst Ashley in which he went on his side and barely avoided flipping. Stover is now out of open playoff points position while the #76 is still in.
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