First of all, BIG congrats to Keith Andrews on his flag to flag SIC win this weekend. We worked together all test day with him leading and me leading, and it became clear early that he had us all covered regardless of who was in front. I never once saw him drop a wheel, or get the slightest bit out of shape for 3 straight days. You've come long way Keith... Congratulations, and keep it up! You won't find a more genuinely nice guy in the paddock.
As for the SARRC championship. We went into the race with Chip VanVurst, myself and Selin Rollan in a close 3-way points battle... close enough, in fact, that the finishing order of the SIC would determine the overall champion. I fell back to 4th on the start, as Chip gave Selin & Keith a great push on the start dropping me back from the front row to 4th by turn 1. Chip and I battled side by side for 4 or 5 laps. Chip's car was very wide, but the racing was as clean as you'd expect with the Championship on the line. One lap we went side by side from T1 all the way through T5 without a touch. I finally managed to clear Chip on the outside of T2 with a little help from Dillon Machavern. With Keith and Selin battling for the lead, I ran 5 straight laps in in the 1:22.5-1:22.7 range in clean air and nipped about 4 or 5 tenths off per lap. With about 4 to go I had caught Selin. Just like with Chip, we went side by side over and over but I could never quite get the run I needed to pass until the 2nd to last lap. Selin protected the inside line down the front straight which allowed me to get just enough of a draft off of Keith on the outside to clear Selin going into T1. Both Chip and Selin (and BSI in general) are a class act. Both were very congratulatory afterwards, and were all smiles in tech after such a hard fought race.
On a much sadder note... we learned that Chip's mom passed away shortly before this event. No doubt Chip had alot on his mind coming into this weekend. You (Chip and Matthew) have our most sincere condolences for your loss.
Overall I've had my best season ever. 12 SARRC races with 5 wins and 7 second place finishes, as well as a 3rd and 4th at the VIR Majors race. To give an idea of the depth of the SARRC competition, every single 2nd place finish I've taken this season were to unique drivers (K. Andrews, D. Machavern, C. VanVurst, J. Owenby, S. Hughes, C. Brown, C. Crowell). Thanks so much to my wife Becky who has been through hell but was never down this past year in her battle with Breast Cancer... and winning! To my daughter Ava who cheers me on even when I finish second. My inlaws, who come down all the way from NY to catch nearly every race. To my great friends Rick Gambill and Keith Andrews who both spend countless hours at the Ti-Speed shop helping out, never asking for anything in return. Also to OPM's Tom and Tracy Fowler (and crew: Chris, Jonathan, Andrew, & Ryan), who still haven't kicked us out of their tent even after several seasons of us nagging them! Tom was also kind enough to drive my car on test day and went through data and video with me to show me were I was terrible at Savannah (pretty much everywhere). It helped tremendously! And of course the Panic Motorsports crew, our good friends and parts supplier.
Now in my 8th season of SM, this is undoubtedly the best amateur racing there is to be had, from the points of camaraderie, competition, and fun! See y'all next season, which starts in 2 weeks, BTW