Last Corner Shocker: Stewart Steals the Win at Kansas Speedway
Last-Corner Shocker: Stewart Steals the Win at Kansas Speedway
KANSAS CITY, Kan. — It only takes one lap to win, as long as it is the final one.
Eldon Stewart proved exactly that on Thursday night at Kansas Speedway, executing a stunning last lap, last corner pass to steal the victory in a thrilling 75 lap shootout. In a race defined by dominant early runs and late stage pit strategy, Stewart’s sole lap led was the only one that mattered.
Early Dominance and Pit Strategy Heartbreak The pace was set early by Gio Turpin, who rocketed to the pole with a blistering 30.065 second qualifying lap. Turpin was the driver to beat for the majority of the evening, dominating the front of the pack to lead a race high 47 laps.
However, the 1.5 mile tri-oval is notorious for shaking things up. A series of cautions, four in total, accounting for 12 yellow flag laps kept the field bunched together and turned the race into a strategic chess match.
Mitchell Williams emerged as the other major powerhouse, taking control to lead 28 laps. Unfortunately for Williams, the timing of the cautions put him on the wrong side of pit strategy when it counted most, shuffling him out of the lead despite a stellar performance.
A Dramatic Finish With the leaders battling track conditions and strategy, the race saw four official lead changes. The climax arrived on Lap 79. Coming out of Turn 4 for the final time, Stewart capitalized on the shifting momentum, making a perfectly timed move to snatch the lead and take the checkered flag taking advantage of 4 fresh tires!
Further back in the pack, Jordan Traas put on a clinic in navigating traffic. Traas earned the "Biggest Mover" honors for the night, quietly picking his way through the field to gain an impressive eight positions by the end of the race.
