Things were definitely different this week at the track, and that started before we ever saw the green flag!
Instead of the traditional practice and qualifying format, practice WAS qualifying! Drivers had a full 30 minutes of track time to get laps in, come to the pits, make adjustments, and head right back out. When the clock hit zero, where you stood was it!
And when the dust settled, Alex Papini was on 🔥! Papini laid down a 20.730-second lap, not only grabbing FAST TIME but also setting a NEW TRACK RECORD! 🚨
Hot on his heels was Karter Stark, followed by Mark English, Justin Pearson, and Justin Schelitzche rounding out the top five.
📋 Top 10 Qualifying
1️⃣ Alex Papini – 20.730 NEW TRACK RECORD
2️⃣ Karter Stark
3️⃣ Mark English
4️⃣ Justin Pearson
5️⃣ Justin Schelitzche
6️⃣ Phil Malouf
7️⃣ Mark Dewey
8️⃣ Josh Rusch
9️⃣ John Handeland
10th through the field: Tim Anderson, Anna Malouf, Pete Doxey, Shane Kohlmeier, Julia Pirog, Morgan Zerwinski, Al Strobel, and Travis Hill.
🔥 NO HEATS. JUST 100% FEATURE RACING! 🔥
As if the night wasn’t different enough, there would be NO HEAT RACES. Every driver would have to make the most of the feature and put it all on the line!
Shane Kohlmeier and Anna Malouf led the field to the green, and we were off!
But it didn’t take long for things to get interesting.
💥 CAUTION!
After just one lap, the yellow flew as Morgan Zerwinski found himself in the ditch in Turn 2. Once Morgan was safely pulled out and the field was reset, drivers had another decision to make — inside lane or outside lane?
Some chose the bottom. Others gambled on the top.
Would it pay off? 👀
Anna Malouf and Tim Anderson brought the field back to green, and the battle was ON!
Anna and Tim went side-by-side for several laps before Tim was able to take control of the lead. Meanwhile, Karter Stark and Alex Papini were charging forward, making moves and picking off cars like they were standing still!
Before long, Karter and Alex had worked their way to the front — and once they got there, they checked out! 🚀
Behind them, the fight was just as intense. Drivers were moving forward, falling back, and battling for every position.
The battle for third became a four-way fight between Justin Schelitzche, Tim Anderson, and both Marks — Mark Dewey and Mark English.
Justin eventually worked his way past Tim, but Mark Dewey wasn’t about to let him get comfortable! Dewey wasted no time going after Justin, eventually making the pass and setting his sights on the cars ahead.
Then it was Mark English’s turn to make his move!
🏆 THE BATTLE UP FRONT!
At the front, Alex Papini was hunting down Karter Stark for the lead.
The two battled hard, with some brief contact between the leaders. Papini eventually made his way around Karter and took command of the race.
Unfortunately for Karter, problems would bring his night to an early end.
By then, Alex and Karter had built up nearly a 9-second advantage over the field. That gap proved to be just too much for Dewey to overcome, leaving Papini with a clear path to victory.
🏁 CHECKERED FLAG! 🏁
It was Alex Papini standing on top once again, taking home the win!
🥇 Alex Papini
🥈 Mark Dewey
🥉 Mark English
4️⃣ Justin Schelitzche
5️⃣ Tim Anderson
6️⃣ Justin Pearson
7️⃣ John Handeland
8️⃣ Phil Malouf
9️⃣ Pete Doxey
🔟 Al Strobel
11th on back:
Shane Kohlmeier, Morgan Zerwinski, Julia Pirog, Karter Stark, Travis Hill, and Josh Rusch.
🔥 NEW TRACK RECORD.
🔥 FEATURE WIN.
🔥 ONE WILD NIGHT AT MADISON INTERNATIONAL SPEEDWAY.
That’s racing, folks! 🏁💨
#MidWestDash #MadisonInternationalSpeedway
About the Author
