Mark Chrudimsky capped a wild and wacky night by defending his division Derby win.
The Austin, Texas, native made a nifty move pass leader Billy Melvin late in the 50-lap race and sailed into Victory Lane.
“We always look forward to the Derby,” Chrudimsky said. “Patience paid off tonight. To come back and defend it, we had the car to win tonight.”
The 1st caution flew on the 6th lap of the race when the cars of James Patrick, Michael House, and Don Livingston got together going into turn 3. A.J. Winstead, who had slowed to avoid the carnage was struck from behind, and ended his night on the hook as well.
On the restart, The Super Late-model star Augie Grill appeared to have the car to beat early in the race.
Grill met his demise courtesy of lapped traffic on Lap 16. It spelled doom for the Five Flags fan favorite and two-time Derby winner, who was looking for a rare sweep of the Modifieds and Super Late Models.
Leading the race, Grill attempted to pass Kevin Chase and Kevin Peel. Chase got loose and the Gulf Breeze driver collected Grill.
Chase’s black No. 2 caught fire. He immediately sprang into action, climbed out of the car and put the extinguished the fire himself.
Grill’s sour end paved the way for Korey Ruble, who sat on the pole after posting a new track record (17.455 seconds) during qualifying. The Headland, Ala., assumed the top spot once again.
It appeared as though Grill’s misfortunes would result in victory for Ruble. Chrudimsky and Melvin had other ideas.
Melvin got passed Ruble on Lap 37 as the pair went two-by-two into Turn 3 and stayed that way coming out of Turn 4. Chrudimsky took advantage of Ruble, too, in the same sequence.
Melvin’s lead short-lived as Chrudimsky came charging two laps later. The pair, in addition to a lapped car, went three-wide in Turn 3. Chrudimsky came away with the lead just before caution came out and he never had to check his mirrors again.
44 cars attemped to qualify for the cherished 30 starting positions with the last two spot determined by a last chance qualifier. The 17 of Chris Cotto and the 2 of Kevin Chase made transfered to the main event from the LCQ.
Modified results:
1. Mark Chrudimsky; 2. Billy Melvin; 3. John Sappralcone; 4. Korey Ruble; 5. Todd Jackson; 6. Gerald Wilkerson; 7. Brandon Howell; 8. Nathan Ingersoll; 9. Jason Morman; 10. Donnie Hamrac; 11. Mike Maddox; 12. Chris Cotto; 13. Nathan Davis; 14. Trevor Edwards; 15. Todd Jones; 16. Jeff Letson; 17. Brandon Curren; 18. Stephan McCurley; 19. Tim Martin; 20. Kevyn Terry; 21. Kevin Peel; 22. Scooter Grice; 23. Bradley Riethmeyer; 24. Augie Grill; 25. Kevin Chase; 26. John Schultz; 27. Tuffy Hudson; 28. Bubba Gale; 29. James Patrick; 30. Michael House; 31. Don Livingston; 32. A.J. Winstead
