Super Cup Stock Car Series: Jody Harrison wins another in Ohio

Update: 6:45 p.m. EST Freeway Motorcars 100 presented by Heintz Performance race winner Jody Harrison was penalized 64 points for unapproved use of parts and failure to comply with a directive.

Despite having to make repairs after damage sidelined him early last time out at Ona Speedway, Jody Harrison once again set the pace in practice and claimed his fourth straight pole award for the Freeway Motorcars 100 presented by Heintz Performance. The random invert was a three, which by some strange string of luck put Todd Peck on the pole for the fourth straight race.

Jim Crabtree Jr. started alongside Peck from the front row with Peck jumping out to the early lead. Following a brief early caution, it didn’t take long for Crabtree to dive under Peck for the lead with Harrison following for second. The top three remained in those positions as they worked lap traffic.

Thirty laps into the race, Jody Harrison took his turn up front with Peck pressuring Crabtree for second. As the race went on, precipitation began to play a factor despite a minimal chance for the evening. As the track became slicker Crabtree spun out of second place, and claimed that he lost traction due to the dampness of the race track. Luckily, with the exception of a few stray drops the outcome would not be majorly affected by mother nature for the remainder of the 100 lap event.

Harrison maintained and at times extended his lead running laps consistently two-tenths off his fast qualifying time. The charge on the track was from Jim Crabtree Jr., who started sixth on the restart. Crabtree dove under his son J.P. on the first green flag lap, and then moved up to fourth the next lap. By the twenty lap to go mark he drove past J.J. Pack for third.

At this point, the race would fall under a somewhat lengthy yellow when Kyle Kromer would grenade his engine. Speedy dry appeared to be an issue on the restart as Harrison drifted high in turn two where it had been put down. Nevertheless, Harrison continued to clock off some quick laps. Crabtree moved into second with about ten to go, but would run out of time to catch Harrison. It was Harrison’s series leading tenth career win.

Harrison described the racing conditions in the closing laps after climbing out of the car.

“When (Kyle Kromer’s car) flooded that motor there it moved the groove up about two feet. It was slick.”

An elated Jody went on to thank his mom and dad for their ongoing support as well as his aunt and uncle for coming from Michigan to see him race. He also wished his sister a happy birthday.

J.J. Pack passed Todd Peck for third in the closing laps and Kevin Kromer rounded out the top five.

With Peck falling to fourth in the final finishing order, the points race tightened even more going into the final event at Motordrome Speedway in less than three weeks. Peck continues to hold off Jody Harrison by 29 points and Jim Crabtree Jr. by 38 points.

The winner of a Super Cup Stock Car Series race is awarded 160 points, second 140 points, a five point decrease down through sixth place, and a four point decrease down through 15th place. Bonus points of five each for leading a lap, leading the most laps, leading at halfway, being fast qualifier, and advancing the most positions from qualifying to finishing position can also be attained.

A win and bonus points could potentially make all the difference, as it has in years past when Jody Harrison won the season finale all three of his championship seasons.

Freeway Motorcars 100 presented by Heintz Performance Race Results: