The theme of different drivers in victory lane at Five Flags Speedway continued after Friday night’s Navy Federal Credit Union 125 presented by Driven Racing Oil as Kyle Benjamin became the seventh different winner in as many Blizzard races dating back to April of 2012.
Southern Super Series: Benjamin checks out to claim most satisfying win of his career
The invert at the competition caution got Kyle Benjamin to the front, but it didn’t take much to hold off his competitors during the final 50 laps after an intense battle ensued behind him.
The series regulars rose to the top of the charts with track record holder Bubba Pollard claiming the fast time in his machine with a new Hamner Racing powerplant and Southern Super Series point leader heading into the event Daniel Hemric in second.
After a straight up start, Hemric started off on a mission with a run on the outside before taking sole possession of the lead on lap three.
Mike Garvey made a charge early, passing Benjamin for third and immediately worked his way past Pollard for second, but it was all for naught as his car suddenly backfired and continued to lose positions before calling it a night on lap 39.
“Car was awesome,” a dejected Garvey said after diagnosing the problem as an electrical issue.
The race continued under green for the first 56 laps and after a few cautions, the duel between Pollard and Hemric continued. Pollard powered past Hemric to lead at the competition caution.
“Felt like we needed to lead to get the bonus points since we fell so far behind,” Pollard mentioned at the break, referring to the points chase in which he trails Hemric.
The invert of a five played the major role for the final fifty laps, which remained caution free. Benjamin cleared Enfinger while Pollard and Hemric conserved behind for some laps.
Pollard began to flip the switch as the laps winded down, but Enfinger prevailed on the outside as he continuously held off Pollard for second lap after lap. This was Enfinger’s first super late model race of the season, and clearly showed up with no other intention except winning.
“Not where we wanted to finish, but I appreciate Bubba running me clean. That was good hard racing right there at the end.”
After battling lap after lap with Enfinger, Pollard had some interesting words after it all was over.
“We had a good race car. It just got loose there at the end. Wasn’t able to pass Grant. He would’ve went in there and dumped me, but I raced him clean for points.”
While the battle on the track was for second, Benjamin pulled ahead for the uneventful victory. This was his first super late model win at Five Flags Speedway and his first in the Southern Super Series.
“I can’t tell you how long I’ve been waiting to win here. That’s probably the most satisfying win I’ve ever had.”
The Southern Super Series once again moves to Mobile International Speedway the next night for another 125 lap race.
Complete race results can be found below.
1. Kyle Benjamin
2. Grant Enfinger
3. Bubba Pollard
4. Daniel Hemric
5. DJ VanderLey
6. John Hunter Nemechek
7. Hunter Robbins
8. David Rogers
9. Donnie Wilson
10. Kyle Grissom
11. Scott Carlson
12. Wayne Niedecken Jr
13. Chris Davidson
14. Kyle Bryant
15. Daniel Keene Jr
16. Bobby Knox Jr
17. Mike Garvey
18. Dennis Schoenfeld
19. Jimmy Garmon
20. Chet Morrison
21. Casey Smith
22. Stephen Nasse
23. Bobby Measmer
24. Allen Karnes
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