“I just got lucky there,” said VLR_18 in victory lane. “I was just holding my line on the bottom, didn't really expect that at all. Saw the two leaders up there get together and I just held my line on the bottom, and went by. I got lucky, but, hey, it's better to be lucky than good sometimes."
With a packed house of fans watching to see who would claim the season finale victory, the 15-year-old superstar from Brookfield, Wi., charged forward from the fifth starting spot to overtake VLR_Shock of Crossville, Tn., for the lead on lap 7 after BLS_Dustin got into the back of Shock.
It was the third VLR Crates victory of the season for VLR_18, who ended the season with the second most wins of anyone in the series, behind WFO ICE.
VLR_18 secured an eight place finish in the VLR Crates points standings, despite only racing in seven of the twelve events. No one was better than VLR_McGee this season, however, as he picked up his first ever championship in a VLR series by holding off BLS_Dustin and VLR_Shock in the closest points finish in Crates history.
“Boy I tell ya what, I'm just elated...with joy...lots of joy,” VLR_McGee said of his 2010 VLR Crates championship. “This was something I always wanted since I got on VLR, was to win a championship here. By golly, we did it. I want to thank Mama Tiger (his fiance) for her support all season and everyone who helped me get to where I am today. Shewwww doggies this is awesome. Lordy mercy I tell you what”
VLR_Shock, 21, settled for runner-up money after leading laps 4-7, crossing the finish line 0.91 of a second behind 18. BLS_Dustin of Hindman, Ky., who led laps 1-4, placed third, followed by the new VLR Crates Champion, VLR_McGee of Spartanburg, SC in fourth, and BLS_B34 of Vineland, NJ., who came home with his best finish of the season with fifth, and took home fourth in the final standings.
VLR_18's performance exceeded his expectations for the finale, as he only finished third in his heat race and was relegated to start fifth in the feature behind the top four point contenders in the chase for the championship.
“We strated fifth behind a lot of fast guys, and I wasn't sure if we could get up there and win,” conceded VLR_18. “I was just trying to be really patient and not force anything, and it was like everything just opened up for me and I took the bottom by everyone."
VLR_18 had fairly easy sailing once he passed BLS_Dustin and VLR_Shock in turn one seven laps in. It automatically spotted him a seven car length lead, which stayed around the same distance for much of the race once he got by.
VLR_Shock, 21, appeared primed to record his second win of the season after quickly blasting from third to first in four laps. He completed the surge by passing polesitter BLS_Dustin and VLR_McGee both in the same corner as Dustin drifted up into McGee in turn four on the fourth lap.
However, it wasn't meant to be as three laps later BLS_Dustin got into the back end of Shock and sent him nearly spinning down the track. Shock made a great save, but it still cost him the lead as VLR_18 powered by both of them in turn 2.
“I think we should have won this race,” said VLR_Shock, who started third in his NOS Energy/Team VLR MasterSbilt car. “Dustin got into us early in the race and we almost wrecked and Wheel (VLR_18) got by both of us.
“Seems like he and I get into it every week and my finishes haven't really showed how good I've run. But I need to congratulate McGee on his championship, he worked really hard for it and beat a lot of great drivers out to get it. It was a fun season, we'll see if we can go get three in a row in the Gen 3's now at Rodeo on Sunday.”
BLS_Dustin looked like he was going to be a strong contender for the win, but trouble seemed to follow him wherever he went throughout the race.
Still, he brought it home with a third place finish after battling with the champion VLR_McGee for much of the late stages of the race. Dustin nearly was able to get by VLR_Shock for second at the line, but he ended up just over a car length short of the #0 car.
"I did pretty good. I feel bad about getting into Shock there at the start and letting Wheel get out there," Dustin said. "I'm glad to see McGee get the championship, though. If there's any person I'd be happy finishing second to in points, it would have to be him. He earned it."
Finishing in positions 6-10 were Kamikaze of Magnolia, Ms., XCRJr in seventh; DS5 of Brookfield, Wi who brought home his best finish of the season with eighth; BLSJsn! of Kokomo, In.; and USRA_GRT who didn't have a good grip on the demanding track and retired early.
The 2010 VLR Crates Champion VLR_McGee picked up a fourth place finish in the finale and used a 3.181 average finish this season to grab the championship. BLS_B34 saved his best outing of the season for the final race and picked up a fifth.
One driver who seemed to be happy with his finish was sixth place runner Kamikaze.
“I was just glad to make it (to the race)," Kamikaze said. "I don't get to make many of them. I made a good pass in the B, and that's what got me in the show."
Winners of the heat races were BLS_Dustin and VLR_McGee. The B-Main was captured by BLSJsn!
Next season should start within a couple of months and we hope to see everyone and more back for what is sure to be another exciting season. Stay tuned for a possible third series sanctioned by VLR in another chassis, but nothings certain yet.
Be sure to congratulate VLR_McGee on his championship if you see him around, he truly deserved it and put in a lot of practice to get it, beating several veterans, rookies, and all drivers in between to become the 2010 VLR Crates Champion!
Top 10 Results of VLR Crate Late Model series Cowtown Finale 60 (Finishing Position/Start/Driver):
1. (5) VLR_18
2. (3) VLR_Shock
3. (1) BLS_Dustin
4. (2) VLR_McGee
5. (4) BLS_B34
6. (8) Kamikaze
7. (6) XCRJr
8. (10) DS5
9. (7) BLSJsn!
10. (9) USRA_GRT