Drew Dilbeck leads the field into Turn 1 at the start of the FASCAR Daytona 125
The start of a new season of FRL Stock Car racing signaled a chance for everyone to start over fresh. If last seasons win list was any indication, a new season was wide open for anyone to win. Except maybe for someone like Paul Maestri. Since he was racing with a controller, it might have seemed a tall order for him to get a win over the wheel drivers in the 8 car field. However, as the 50 laps wound down and he fended off several charges against him, Paul would gain the victory.
As the green flag waved and Drew Dilbeck sailed off into Turn 1 with the lead, Paul would settle into the middle of the group. Ethan Maestri would latch onto Drew's rear bumper and the two would slowly pull ahead of the rest of the field. Nicholas Hargrove and Tony Tyree would fall into step a short distance behind them. Paul was left to fend off early challenges from Brandon Adkins. Brandon showed strength early on, but would swing high into Turn 1 a few laps into the race, brushing the wall and putting himself in peril. He would swing high again into Turn 2, still trying to recover his #26 Chevy. He wound up squeezing Travis Bilingsley into the wall, ending both of their runs at the front of the field for the night.
Up front, Drew and Ethan would exchange lead changes before Ethan made too bold a move and caught his front splitter on the apron of the track, sending him into a spin and early into the pits. He would find himself a lap down and in 5th place, but poised to make a run to the front again as pits cycled. However, Nate Turner was having a rough go of it on the high banks of Daytona and spun into the wall in Turn 2. His #19 Toyota would drift down to the bottom of the track, collecting Ethan in a race ending incident. Nate would officially retire a few laps later. Ethan would drop back to 6th position.
Tony Tyree and last seasons Daytona 125 winner, Nicholas Hargrove, would have an eventful few laps together with both vying for third position, then second, as Ethan spun out. Tony Tyree would end up in front as Drew brought his race leading Ford in for a pit stop. Moments later, both he and Nicholas would pit, ceding the lead to the #33 of Paul Maestri. Pit stops would cycle out, Paul being the last to come in on the main cycle. He would exit pits just ahead of Nicholas and Drew who were both vying to be the new leader. Paul would fend off attacks by both drivers to cement his position at the front.
In the end, it was a race of who could make the fewest mistakes or avoid the mistakes of others. Paul Maestri was able to navigate all 125 miles of the race and claim the checkered flag for his own. It is a victory that Paul has had to wait a long while for, his last race victory being more than 3 years ago. For Drew Dilbeck, this race proves his ability as a stock car racer in the FRL. His second place finish all but insuring that he will be a strong contender for a championship win. For Nicholas Hargrove, third is small consolation when you consider his dominating victory in this race last season. However, it is a strong run and something to build on for this series.
With the series begun, the drivers turn their attention from high banked speedways to the subtle undulation of a road course at Watkins Glen.
Series Points after 1 of 5 Races:
1. Paul Maestri - 22
2. Drew Dilbeck - 19
3. Nicholas Hargrove - 16
4. Travis Billingsley - 14
5. Tony Tyree - 13
6. Ethan Maestri - 11
7. Brandon Adkins - 8
8. Nate Turner - 6
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