Bobby Santos, III Wins Inaugural Must See Racing Event at Lancaster Motorplex
Bobby Santos, III won the inaugural Must See Racing Sprint Series Presented by Perfit-Parts event at Lancaster Motorplex Saturday.
Santos, who also won the points-paying season opener at Berlin Raceway in May, took the lead on lap 18 from Bobby Komisarski and held off Aaron Willison in the closing laps for the win.
“That was tough," said Santos in victory lane. "Obviously that 50 car has been the model of Winged Sprint Car racing. Putting Aaron Willison in it is a scary thing.
“I drive by this place all the time between going home and back to Indy. I’ve never actually stopped here, but I’m happy we did tonight.”
Komisarski led the first 17 laps of the 30-lap feature, and battled side-by-side with Santos on a mid-race restart before ceding the top spot.
“[Komisarski] was on his A-Game tonight," said Santos. "He was really, really good. I pushed him hard enough on the inside that he opened the door to the bottom. It was just enough to get through. I don’t know if I could have passed him in an open racetrack.”
A last-minute deal put Willison in the 50M for the Must See event at Lancaster, a potent combination between last year's $50,000 Open Wheel Showdown winner and one of the top teams in Pavement Winged Sprint Car racing. However, fighting through the field proved too much for Willison on Saturday as he ran out of laps chasing down Santos at the end.
“It’s a shame," said Willison. "Track position definitely got the best of us there. Bobby wanted that five grand and he proved it in qualifying. It’s what it is. We’re happy to take a strong second place driving up through the field.
“It’s been a lot of fun working with Dick [Myers] and his guys on this car. The team at Must See Racing has been really nice, so thanks to the Hanks family.”
Komisarski ultimately finished third after leading the first half of the race, tying his career best with the Must See Series.
“The caution wasn’t what we were looking for tonight," said Komisarski. "I felt really good in clean air. The car ran great. I really hated to see that caution. I was hoping we could hold off, but not enough.
“Having him on the outside, I know he’s going to race me hard every time, but he races clean. That was honestly good, fun racing. I love stuff like that. Congratulations to him on that win. I guess he was the faster Bobby tonight.”
Davey Hamilton, Jr. and Joe Liguori rounded out the top five. Liguori set quick time during time trials to open Saturday's Must See Sprints program.
The next stop for the Must See Racing Sprint Series is Plymouth Motor Speedway in Indiana on Saturday, June 15.
-Photo credit: Lancaster Motorplex
MUST SEE SPRINTS EMPIRE STATE SHOOTOUT UNOFFICIAL RESULTS
Fin | No | Driver | Laps | Diff |
1 | 22A | Bobby Santos | 30 | — |
2 | 50m | Aaron Willison | 30 | 0.202 |
3 | 07 | Bobby Komisarski | 30 | 5.031 |
4 | 14 | Davey Hamilton, Jr. | 30 | 5.946 |
5 | 13 | Joe Liguori | 30 | 7.124 |
6 | 59x | John Inman | 30 | 12.703 |
7 | 7L | Ryan Litt | 19 | 11 Laps |
8 | Z10 | Kevin Mingus | 15 | 15 Laps |
9 | 81 | Justin Harper | 15 | 15 Laps |
10 | 85 | Rick Holley | 5 | 25 Laps |
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