“That was pure domination if you’ve ever seen,” said Freddie Campbell in the pit area after the race. It was also after his son, Brian, crushed the competition Sunday to score the victory in the Bud St. Amant Memorial 125 at Columbus Motor Speedway (OH) for the ARCA / CRA Super Series.
Campbell set fast time in qualifying, started fifth and had the lead by lap 10. He was challenged briefly each restart by Columbus Motor Speedway Late Model champion Kyle Jones, but in time, the driver of the fast 47 would distance himself from the field in the 125-lap race.
The victory was Campbell’s third of the season in the CRA Super Series, despite competing on a part-time basis.
"We had fast time and won the race. It's a pretty good day,” said Campbell, with a dry-sense of Michigan wit. “This is number-eight on the season (wins overall); we’ve had one heck of a year.
Kyle Jones (2) leads Brian Campbell in a battle for the lead. (Speed51.com photo)
“He did (Kyle Jones) get me on one of those restarts. He kinda snookered me. I wasn't going to let him do that again though. I probably surprised him by taking the outside. But my car felt really good up there. I couldn't restart that thing on the bottom to save my life. It does mean a lot to win the Bud St. Amant Memorial."
Jones finished second the night before in the local Late Model feature to clinch the track title. Two runner-up spots in two days was good, but with his prowess on the restarts, Jones thought he may have had a shot at the win on Sunday.
“I kind of snookered him on the start. I was able to get to his outside and pinch him down going into one,” admitted Jones. “He knew if he drifted up a bit he was going to get into my door, but he's a clean racer and I really enjoy racing with Brian. It was a great season for us. The last 24 hours have been a whirlwind. I won the championship last night and finished second today.”
CRA Super Series point leader Grant Quinlan struggled to a ninth place finish, while his closest rivals in the points standings were 15th (Hunter Baize) and third (Eddie VanMeter).
You can watch Brian Campbell’s emotional interview with Speed51.com powered by JEGS late Monday on the 51 Network.
The CRA Super Series has this weekend off before heading to Lucas Oil Raceway in Indiana on September 26-27 for the penultimate race of their season, the “Fall Brawl.”
By Bob Dillner - Executive Director, Speed51.com - Twitter: @bobdillner
2nd Annual Bud St. Amant Memorial 125 Results
Columbus Motor Speedway, OH
1) Brian Campbell
2) Kyle Jones
3) Eddie VanMeter
4) Kyle Purvis
5) Travis Braden
6) Corey Deuser
7) Cody Coughlin
8) Mark Lambert
9) Grant Quinlan
10) Mike Stacy
11) Chad Pendleton
12) Ali Kern
13) Ryan Fleming
14) Jeremy Mayfield
15) Hunter Baize
16) Jacob Muncy
17) Quinnton Bear
18) Jordan Pruitt
19) Justin Alsip
20) Chris Koslek
21) Cody Robinson
22) Wes Griffith
23) Brandon Oakley
24) Jeep Plfum
(3)
