LOPES WINS FIRST FEATURE IN SPORT FOUR THRILLER
Jordan Lopes and Alexander (AJ) Manuel battled to a finish that the electronics could not decipher. Manuel had gone to the outside on lap 21 as Lopes was solid in his defense of the low groove. AJ moved alongside and for three laps, they whipsawed the lead, heading toward the finish. They were even coming out of turn four toward the waving checkered flag and Lopes was able to get a few extra turns out of his engine, hitting the line mere inches ahead of Manuel. The electronics read 0.000, and it took another look at the monitor images by Race Control to be certain. But Lopes, it was found, did step across just before his rival for his first win.
Manuel wasn’t disappointed for long, as his second place finish brought him the 2017 Phil’s Propane Triple Crown.
At the start, 22 cars worked the oval toward the starters box and outside polesitter Mike Lefort outran Matthew Smith into the lead. Smith led Cliff Avila, Glen Leduc, Henry Lavalle and Lopes through lap one.
Lopes and Lavallee debated position behind Leduc as Lefort went out to a 10-car lead, but there was a bit of smoke issuing forth, especially visible in turn one. Lefort continued.
Smith looked underneath and went into second.
Manuel was moving up, getting around Lavalle.
With Lefort leading by a half-straight, something let go for Smith and he ground to a stop in turn one.
Now, Lefort was on the pole with Avila on his outside. Lopes was behind Lefort and Leduc trailed Avila. Lefort grabbed the front crossing the stripe and Lopes was all over his bumper, anxious for a chance to pass. Jason Poitras got offtrack and took a trip across the infield but was able to get back on the asphalt.
Lefort continued with Lopes a carlength back. But Manuel was third, eight cars back and coming with Leduc in pursuit. Lefort stretched it out to four cars, but Manuel’s arrival forced Lopes to pick up his pace. Lavalle got under Leduc as Poitras went around, bringing another caution.
Lopes fell back from Lefort on the restart and Manuel tried to get underneath with Lavalle on their tails. Joey Motta spun in front of the leaders but continued after a big save. But then a three-car spin to the infield brought another caution.
Lefort and Lopes lined up for another restart on lap 16 and this time Lopes nosed out, got to the lead and then came loose. He droped directly in front of Lefort, who locked onto his bumper while at the same time, Manuel locked onto his. Lap 18 had Lavalle fighting his way alongside Manuel with Leduc and Avila in tow. Lopes got wide and Lefort tried to get underneath.
Manuel now summoned up some speed and went around Lefort and to Lopes’ high side. They ran door-to-door with Lefort at their backs and Lavalle and Avila in pursuit. It was now that Lopes began to hold a tight line in the low groove, forcing Manuel to remain working the outside and they headed for the epic confrontation at the stripe.
Lavalle followed Lopes and Manuel across for third as Lefort limped to the pits. Leduc grabbed forth just ahead of points leader David Westgate.
Sixth went to Tim Bolger, Jr, followed by Avila, Tyler Almeida, Samantha Mattera and Arthur Meack IV. Lefort, despite his retirement, finished eleventh without losing a lap.
SPORT 4's