William Byron was a bit under the weather this weekend, but that didn’t keep him from completely dominating the United Site Services 70 for the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East at the New Hampshire Motor Speedway. Byron made a dream come true by taking the win at the ‘Magic Mile.’
“It’s a dream come true,” Byron told Speed51.com powered by JEGS in victory lane. “When I say that, I really mean it. I watched races here, I’ve iRaced here and now I’m actually on the race track going 150 miles per hour. It’s definitely an exhilarating feeling. Like I said, it’s been a journey so far and I’m looking forward to keeping it going each year.”
Hear from race winner William Byron here: http://speed51.com/racing-videos/
Byron started from the pole and quickly jumped out to a big lead over his HScott Motorsports with Justin Marks teammate, Scott Heckert, and that’s where Byron kept his blue Liberty University no. 9 Chevrolet all race long.
One of the few times Byron was tested was on the restart following the first caution with about 20 laps to go. Heckert was able to stay with Byron until the exit of turn two, but the 17-year-old Byron was just too powerful.
Byron drove away from Heckert once again, but then the yellow flag flew one more time setting up a 10-lap shootout for the win. This time Byron got a great jump on Heckert and he cleared his teammate before they reached turn one. Meanwhile, Heckert was forced to fend off charges from Austin Hill and Kaz Grala as they came off turn two.
As those three battled, Byron drove off into the setting New Hampshire sun to take his third checkered flag of the season, and fourth total K&N East win of his rookie year (Byron was credited with a win at Iowa for being the highest East driver in the East/West combo race. He finished second).
Heckert, Grala, Nick Drake and Hill completed the top five behind Byron.
Even though his cold from earlier in the week still lingered, Byron said he felt a whole lot better thanks to the win.
“I think I had a fever the whole week,” Byron said. “The important thing is just giving 100-percent when you’re in the race car. Throughout those 70 laps I just gave it everything I had and left it all out there. Once it’s done it’s done. You don’t even really feel it out there. If you have time to think about it then you’re not doing the right thing out there.”
To relive all of the action from our Race Central Live coverage of the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East Unite Site Services 70 from New Hampshire Motor Speedway on-demand, click here: http://hometracks.nascar.com/nknps-east_race-central_071715_New-Hampshire
Highlights from this race will be available in the coming days on the 51 Network on Speed51.com.
-By Rob Blount, Speed51.com Northeast Editor – Twitter: @RobBlount -Photo Credit: Rick Ibsen/Speed51.com
NASCAR K&N Pro Series East Unite Site Services 70
New Hampshire Motor Speedway, Loudon, New Hampshire
Unofficial Results
Driver | Laps Completed | ||
1 | 9 | William Byron | 70 |
2 | 34 | Scott Heckert | 70 |
3 | 3 | Kaz Grala | 70 |
4 | 15 | Nick Drake | 70 |
5 | 22 | Austin Hill | 70 |
6 | 20 | Spencer Davis | 70 |
7 | 12 | Gray Gaulding | 70 |
8 | 5 | JJ Haley | 70 |
9 | 71 | Eddie MacDonald | 70 |
10 | 98 | Rico Abreu | 70 |
11 | 97 | Jessie Little | 70 |
12 | 51 | Dalton Sargeant | 70 |
13 | 44 | Dillon Bessett | 70 |
14 | 27 | Kyle Benjamin | 70 |
15 | 30 | Grant Quinlan | 70 |
16 | 4 | Kenzie Ruston | 69 |
17 | 14 | Tery Hutchens III | 69 |
18 | 6 | Devon Amos | 69 |
19 | 7 | Codie Rohrbaugh | 69 |
20 | 31 | David Garbo Jr. | 69 |
21 | 36 | Anthony Kumpen | 68 |
22 | 63 | John Salemi | 68 |
23 | 09 | Christian Celaya | 68 |
24 | 2 | Collin Cabre | 67 |
25 | 04 | Ronnie Bassett Jr. | 67 |
26 | 42 | Jay Beasley | 66 |
27 | 94 | Dylan Hoffman | 66 |
28 | 40 | Travis Miller | 50 |