Three wide pass or... leaders split by lapped traffic.
WOW that was some good racing at Meridian Speedway last Saturday
Chase Gilberstson (about 12 years old, just guessing) made a dramatic three wide pass on the inside of lapped traffic while chasing the leader, Sharde Bement, in the 10 lap Bandolero main at Meridian right on the front stretch with two laps to go. Sharde got an early lead and was running away but Gilbertson caught up and when Bement (rhymes with cement) caught lapped traffic exiting turn four coming on the front stretch she went high around the traffic but Gilbertson, exiting the turn a half second later was in position to go to the inside. I don't think Bement could have gone inside because she caught the lapped car to soon and the lapped car had not moved up the track yet leaving room underneath. Gilbertson's timing was excelent and he made a quick decision to take the low side while Bement went high. The crowd cheered (those whose jaws hadn't dropped, I was in the latter catagory) and Gilbertson made one more lap and then took the checkered.
Later in the evening Brandon Johnson, quick time with a 11.7) started near the end of the pack with all the fastest cars ahead of him. Near the end of the race Johnson caught Matt Elliott, leader since the first few laps, and was looking for a way around. Elliott caught up with lapped traffic (I believe it was Cody Freeman) just as they were exiting turn four coming on to the front stretch. Elliott took the high side (sound familiar) and when they mooved up together near the front stretch wall they left room underneath for one very fast car. Johnson, one of few drivers who could pull it off, turned sideways, smoked the right rear tire, and had the inside groove locked in by the time they got through the front stretch and entered turn one. With the inside advantage Johnson pulled ahead easily and took the white flag well in the lead. The last lap for the checkered was just a formality; Johnson had won the race. The announcer, Brent Arte, and the officials went down to the track to present the trophy but Johnson went to the pits and wouldn't return (go figure) I had to go to the pits later to get a pic.
Well anyway, two identical dramatic inside passes in one night.
See what you miss when you stay home from the races.
Brian
