Brandon Varney Holds Off Challengers for First JEGS/CRA All-Stars Tour Win
Michigan’s Brandon Varney added his name to the list of JEGS/CRA All-Stars Tour winners on Sunday, scoring the victory in a dramatic Spartan 100 at Corrigan Oil Speedway.
Varney took the lead on lap 13, then held off several challenges from the likes of Chase Burda and Steve Dorer in the closing laps for the win.
“This is one of the best race cars I’ve ever had,” said Varney. “I’ve got to thank everybody at VanDoorn Racing Development, all the guys here with VBM.”
Varney is plenty familiar with Corrigan Oil Speedway, winning the track’s Late Model Sportsman championship in 2017. Therefore, it was only fitting that his first JEGS/CRA All-Stars Tour victory came at the Mason, Michigan facility.
“This is unbelievable, to come here so many years after winning the championship and to pick up my first JEGS Tour win. I can’t put it into words.”
It also made for an emotional victory lane, as the win was Varney’s first since the passing of his grandfather earlier this year.
“I’ve got to dedicate this victory to my grandfather, who passed away about two days before Anderson this year,” said Varney. “We’ve been hoping for him to see victory lane. I don’t think I was driving that car tonight.”
Varney briefly lost the lead with 18 laps to go in a fierce battle with defending series champion Chase Burda. However, Burda drifted up the track, opening the door for Varney to retake the lead.
“Pure excitement. That’s all that was,” said Varney recounting the late race battle. “He got me fair and square. He nudged me out of the way and moved me. I was giving up too much bottom. Ultimately, he got around me. He ended up diving into one. I got the better of him, I crossed him up and it worked out for the better.”
Steve Dorer finished second, followed by Big O Classic 100 winner Chase Pinsonneault, Dylan Stovall and Katie Hettinger.
The JEGS/CRA All-Stars Tour returns to action on Saturday, June 22 at Flat Rock Speedway for the VanDoorn Racing Development 125. They’ll close out the month on June 27 with the non-points Battle of Broadway 150 at Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway.
-Photo credit: Koty Geyer
SPARTAN 100 UNOFFICIAL RESULTS
Fin | No | Driver | Laps | Diff |
1 | 61 | Brandon Varney | 100 | — |
2 | 7 | Steve Dorer | 100 | 0.257 |
3 | 14 | Chase Pinsonneault | 100 | 0.498 |
4 | 24 | Dylan Stovall | 100 | 1.691 |
5 | 71H | Katie Hettinger | 100 | 2.024 |
6 | 79 | Barrett Polhemus | 100 | 2.107 |
7 | 22T | Jimmy Tucker | 100 | 2.604 |
8 | 77 | Keegan Sobilo | 100 | 2.834 |
9 | 71R | Blake Rowe | 100 | 3.158 |
10 | 18 | Chase Burda | 100 | 3.696 |
11 | 45 | Michael Simko | 100 | 4.350 |
12 | 88 | Carson Lucas | 100 | 4.808 |
13 | 9 | Guy Fire | 100 | 4.971 |
14 | 5 | Will Sahutske | 100 | 5.766 |
15 | 12 | Dan Leeck | 80 | 20 Laps |
16 | 22R | Brett Robinson | 80 | 20 Laps |
17 | 16 | Evan Varney | 60 | 40 Laps |
18 | 15 | Brian Demland | 11 | 89 Laps |
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