PENSACOLA, Fla. — Charlie Menard outlasted Derek Thorn to notch his second ASA Late Model Series Challenge Division victory, while Travis Darrow took home the series title in Saturday’s season finale at Five Flags Speedway.
Menard led an impressive 164 of the 200 laps in the event, including the last 97 circuits, capping a thrilling battle with Thorn as the two drivers swapped the lead several times in the first half of the race before Menard pulled ahead for good on lap 103.
Menard started in the third position and muscled his way past Steven Davis for the lead following a restart on lap 15. The two traded the top spot before Menard regained the lead on lap 35 with Thorn second.
Over the next 45 laps, Menard and Thorn would duke it out with the lead changing hands three times before the halfway break at lap 100. Back underway after the break, Menard wasted no time getting back to the top spot as on lap 103. Menard made what eventually would be the winning pass by Thorn to retake the lead for an ASALMS record ninth lead change.
With 10 laps to go, Thorn mustered up one final charge for the lead as Menard slowed to deal with lapped traffic. With Thorn right on his bumper, Menard managed to fend him off to secure his second win of the year.
Dassow finished third but only needed to take the green flag to secure the championship, bringing home his team’s third straight ASALMS Challenge Division title.
The finish:
Charlie Menard, Derek Thorn, Travis Dassow, Eddie Hoffman, Michael Annett, Sean Murphy, Peter Cozzolino, Kris Stump, Keeton Hanks, David Odell, Colt James, Brent Seeley, Michael Simko, Jesse Smith, Johanna Long, Dakota Stroup, Steven Davis, Ronnie Smith, Robert Royce, Bob Varney.