Brent Crews survives an time beyond regulation restart for a wire-to-wire ARCA Menards Collection victory at DuQuoin Fairgrounds within the Southern Illinois 100.
DUQUOIN, Sick. — As was the case on the Illinois State Fairgrounds, the dominant automobile of the night Sunday on the DuQuoin State Fairgrounds needed to survive an time beyond regulation restart to cap off an ideal night.
Brent Crews Survives an Extra time Restart for a Wire-to-Wire ARCA Victory at DuQuoin
The one distinction between the 2 occasions was the driving force out entrance. Brent Crews proved to be in a league of his personal from the second he handed William Sawalich on the opening lap of the Southern Illinois 100. Extra time gave Sawalich one final shot at one other win. However Crews remained stalwart to go to Victory Lane for the primary time within the 2024 ARCA Menards Collection season.
Regardless of being bodily and mentally exhausted Crews was assured within the pace his No. 20 JBL Toyota displayed all night. He felt it will be sufficient to fend off Sawalich for 2 additional laps.
“I knew we have been going to be alright,” Crews mentioned. “The Lord was guiding and directing me there. I’ve been sick all week and needed to race Friday evening, too. It’s been a wrestle, however I’ve to thank everybody at Venturini Motorsports for bringing me this sizzling rod. [Everyone] bought to see how briskly it was, and I’m blessed to drive it.”
Similarities Between DuQuoin and Springfield for Crews
Except for the time beyond regulation restart, Sunday night’s Southern Illinois 100 bore many similarities to Crews’ different triumph on the ARCA Menards Collection platform.
In his second profession begin since 2023 on the Springfield Mile, Crews raced like a veteran by pulling away from the remainder of the sphere. When the checkered flag waved, Crews was 20.72 seconds forward of the second-place finisher, Andres Perez.
The identical maturity that has adopted Crews throughout highway course, dust monitor, and brief monitor racing was current at DuQuoin. With the monitor floor creating excessive speeds for rivals, Crews discovered his consolation zone. He was going through little resistance in his rearview mirror till Amber Balcaen’s spin arrange the ultimate dash to the end.
A single-file restart and the considered not worrying about Sawalich disrupting his momentum on his exterior or inside introduced Crews some reduction. With a transparent monitor in entrance of him, Crews relied on his sturdy dust racing background to finish an ideal evening at DuQuoin.
By holding on to the lead by means of all 102 laps, Crews denied Sawalich a possibility to say a $20,000 bonus for sweeping Springfield and DuQuoin races as a part of the Efficiency Seed Dust Double. Getting into Sunday, Sawalich had gained six of the final eight occasions on the nationwide ARCA Menards Collection schedule.
Crews knew defeating Sawalich was a tall order. However, he had full religion in himself and the folks round him at Venturini Motorsports to depart DuQuoin with one other win. He added key parts to consistency on dust tracks by being methodical and listening to suggestions because the floor evolves.
“A very good spotter is essential [when it comes] to telling me the place everyone seems to be at and training me by means of lap occasions,” Crews mentioned. “Rising up on the dust path was a giant half [of this win] as nicely, with the ability to race midgets and stuff like that. It helped so much, and I’m simply grateful to be right here.”
Following Crews and Sawalich in third was Perez, with Kris Wright and dust veteran Kelly Kovski finishing the highest 5. The remaining prime ten finishers have been Lavar Scott, Taylor Reimer, Christian Rose, Toni Breidinger, and Tim Monroe.
Andres Perez leads the collection level standings with Lavar Scott in second place. Kris Wright, Christian Rose, and Toni Breidinger full the highest 5.
Subsequent Up
The ARCA Menards Collection’ subsequent race is the second and final highway course occasion of the season. The collection will race at Watkins Glen Worldwide on Sept. thirteenth within the Normal Tire 100 on the Glen. The race begins at 5 p.m. ET with FS1 offering dwell protection.
