Kitzmiller Bats A Thousand At Tri-County

It began as an absolutely gorgeous day at Tri-County Speedway, with temperatures reaching near 90 degrees. The heat was no detriment to the stars of the Grand National Super Series Presented By ECC however, as practice was busy from the get go. The Granite Falls track is known for its multi-groove racing, so there was unsurprisingly a multitude of setup strategy going around the pits. Blistering the track with a time of 16.298 seconds was the # 97 of Jason Kitzmiller, sitting his machine on the ChaLew Performance pole for the first race a mere 24 hours after finishing 7th in the ARCA race at Michigan International Speedway. Putting in great qualifying efforts behind were Shotime Mike in the # 1 and Larry Wilcox in the # 66, timing in 4th and 6th respectively. Luck fell Kitzmiller’s way as he redrew the number 1 chip and led the field to green for the first 50 lapper. Unfortunately, Mother Nature would soon show her speed as well.

Kitzmiller found himself up front after 14 laps had been ticked off the board, but nearly lost it all as the field came up to lap the # 20 of newcomer Steve Bush. Bush, a multi-time Vintage race winner, unfortunately couldn’t get out of the way quick enough as the # 21 of Jeremy Mayfield, Wilcox, and the # 57 of Donnie Doster all get involved in a multi-car wreck entering into three. Right as the caution fell, the sky opened up and drenched the entire track within minutes. But with the diligence of the track crew, we were back racing in no time. Despite his damage, Mayfield took the lead soon after, leaving Kitzmiller to search all around the track for a way by. The fans were treated to a fantastic battle as after a little door banging coming off of four, Kitzmiller regained the top spot. Once the checkered flag flew, it was Kitzmiller ahead of Mayfield, the # 79 of AJ Henriksen, Shotime Mike, Wilcox, and Bob Schacht in the # 75. Taking the first Howe Racing Enterprises Hard Charger Award is Henriksen, making up three valuable spots on the track.

Looking for his first career win, Wilcox had the privilege of starting on the pole for race two, a race ultimately against the Tri-County curfew. When the green flew, the action was fast and furious, with Wilcox being taken three wide on the first lap. Before you knew it, deja vu set in as Kitzmiller was back up front ahead of Mayfield. Having a fantastic race behind was the # 53 of Lauren Butler, moving up to sixth in an effort strong enough to take home the Howe Racing Enterprises Hard Charger Award. But up front, it was all Kitzmiller who sweeps the night at Tri-County Speedway ahead of Mayfield.

Multiple drivers took to Tri-County Speedway for their first ever GNSS race including Steve Bush in a Tony Stewart inspired throwback # 20, Dave Hutchinson in the # 62, and Will Lauderback in a Ricky Rudd inspired # 3. Also making his return was popular racer Joe Wilder in the Cash Motorsports # 42. Make sure to make your way back to Tri-County Speedway on September 7th for round 10 of the 2024 GNSS Presented By ECC season! Also, a huge thanks to AJ and Arne Henriksen for all of their contributions to our tour and the sport as a whole.

Until next time, see you at the races!