Regular Season Ends
Wayland NY 8/24- Last night was the end to the regular season at McKean County Raceway. One has to
wonder if it was the last race at the track excluding the September 26,27 big event. The talk since mid season is that money
was gone and they might not open next year. Time will tell.
Kyle won his qualifier in convincing fashion. The feature line up was determined by the point standings meaning Kyle was starting
third. On the opening laps Blair who was on the poll and Kyle took off from the field though the third place car was not far
behind. As the laps continued the gap between Kyle and third grew. Kyle's time were about the same as Blair's but
not any better. On lap 15 or so they started getting into lapped traffic. This was Kyle's chance to close that gap. The
both made it through the first couple cars OK. Then came the number 24 car who was all over the track and could not hold a
line. Kyle tried the low side but couldn't do it since the 24 shot down on Kyle pushing him almost into the in field.
So Kyle set him up to pass him on the high side going into turns one and two. Between these turns the 24 drove up into Kyle's
drivers side pushing the panel in and sending Kyle around. This was on lap 19 of 25. So back to the rear went Kyle, actually
back to 14th. In the closing laps Kyle headed toward the front finishing 7th.
This is not the finish we were looking for. When in comes to points,
it probably dropped Kyle from 2nd to 4 or 5. I didn't do the math but if Kyle had been able to win he would have been
close to the point title but I'm not sure and I guess at this point it doesn't mater. Now my commentary..... lap traffic
is a part of racing that is a given. I can recall many races where Kyle was taken out by lapped cars. A couple that come to
mind... Rolling Wheels, Patriot race, lap 10 of 20, Kyle was leading by a straightaway, putting a lap on the 10th place car
when the 9th place car spun out collecting Kyle. Another one was coming to the checkered flag in a micro sprint, leading the
race and a lapped car pushes up into Kyle's line blocking him off turn four. He ended up second that night. Then
there was the time in karts at Syracuse that on the last lap another kart cut down on Kyle in turn three. Kyle ended up flipping
and as he lay on the ground he could look up at the checkered flap waving.
There has also been times that the lapped cars have
helped. Like I said they are a part of racing. My only wish is that drivers would think. If you are being given the move over
flag then do it. Hold a line and let the lead cars go by. Seems simple and it is called respect for others... people and equipment.
Updates to follow in the next few days. Next and
last race of the year will be the September Fastrak Regional race at McKean. Please note the October race at Black Rock will
not happen. Read about it later.
