JACKSONVILLE, NC – Robert Strmiska rebounded late in Saturday’s Hetu Strong Race Against Cancer after fading in the early laps to score the victory in the Carolina Mini Stock Challenge feature at Goodyear All American Speedway on Saturday.
After qualifying on the pole, Strmiska faded early in the 50 lap race and spent much of the race methodically working his way through the field. With four laps to go, Strmiska made the pass for the lead, and the win, on Chuck Wall and never looked back.
“It took me a while to get going,” Strmiska said in victory lane. “When I fell back to seventh or eighth there, I was pretty worried. I thought I was in trouble. The car was good. I wasn’t very good [early] but I learned a lot. This place is tricky and I love it. It’s fun. I wasn’t saving anything. I knew it was going to take all I could to get to the top-three and it was all I had.”
Kris Hetu, a former Carolina Mini Stock Challenge champion and the son of Ronnie Hetu, was spotting for Strmiska during the race. Saturday’s race was held in memory of Ronnie Hetu, who passed away from cancer last March.
Chuck Wall settled for a runner-up finish after leading 32 of the race’s 50 laps.
“I think our cars were pretty even,” Wall said. “I must have slipped up a little bit and he got by us. I didn’t quite know it was that close to the end of the race but I don’t know if it would have changed the outcome. He had a good car, we had a good one. He might have been a little tick better than us at the end of the race.”
Brandon Clements, a former track champion at the 4/10-mile track in Jacksonville, finished third – the highest finisher among the local contingent of drivers who competed.
“We had a great race car,” Clements remarked. “Those cautions just killed us man. It’s gotten now where you have to run a 454 to keep up on the restarts here. It’s hard to keep up with them on the restart. Great race for a great cause, I’d like to thank everyone for putting it on.”
Michael Tucker and Shane Canipe rounded out the top-five.
Wayne Phillips was declared the winner of the Bomber feature, the second consecutive win for the Hubert driver, after the top-two finishers were disqualified in postrace technical inspection. William Muncey, who made the trip from Columbus, Ohio, finished in the runner-up spot while Swansboro’s Jonathon Smith finished third.
Leland’s Brenton Irving returned to victory lane in the Legends feature after a hard-fought battle for the win with Charlotte’s George Phillips. Raleigh’s Phoenyx Kimball picked up her fourth consecutive Bandolero victory.
The next race at Goodyear All American Speedway will take place under the lights on Saturday, April 9, 2022.
Goodyear All American Speedway is Jacksonville’s Action Attraction featuring racing and other events. For more information about Goodyear All American Speedway, check out the speedway’s website, like/follow “Goodyear All American Speedway” on Facebook, or follow the track on Instagram.
