GNSS Lights Up Franklin County With A Pair Of Thrillers

As you enter a museum, you’re greeted by history. You can sense that you’re standing the presence of something special. 1 of 1. That’s exactly how it feels visiting Franklin County Raceway. Each step seems like a step back in time, making it one of the favorites on the GNSS schedule.

Speaking of motorsports and history, Chrissy Wallace, daughter of accomplished stock car racer Mike Wallace, made her GNSS debut Saturday night. Also making the trek down was dirt track veteran Brandon Kinzer. But unfortunately, food poisoning kept Kinzer from starting the event, leaving Isaiah Hogan to take over the #81 machine. Rounding out the cast of newcomers was karting ace and Legend Car racer Garrett Andexler, filling in for an injured Bob Schacht. And of course, the usual cast of characters came along as well, with AJ Henriksen putting in a scorcher of a lap for the ChaLew Performance Pole Award.

Following the top 6 invert, prevalent YouTuber Mitchell Stapleton led the field to green for the first 50 lapper. Second place starter Chrissy Wallace was the first to the line after lap 1 however, and led until the competition caution. What ensued afterwards is what many are saying is one of the greatest GNSS races they’ve ever seen. Wallace, Jeremy Mayfield, Henriksen, and Chris Burns all duking it out for the top spot, lap after lap as the fans stood on their feet. A slight slip up from Wallace allowed Mayfield to inherit the lead as the battle raged on behind. For Mayfield, that’s just what he needed as he drives away for the victory. Wallace hangs onto second over a hungry Henriksen who comes home third, Burns guts out a fourth, and Mitchell Stapleton records his best career finish in fifth. Mayfield also bags the Howe Racing Enterprises Hard Charger Award.

Andexler benefits from the invert and will head the pack for race two. Fourth place finisher in race one Chris Burns is unable to make the call as he battles battery issues. A late day addition is also added as Franklin County Limited Sportsman racer Richard Caldwell decides to join the race. Andexler leads his first career laps, but his mirror is soon full of fastest qualifier Henriksen. The two time champion is able to best the rookie soon after, but Andexler doesn’t go away easily as he’s still all over Henriksen. Walter Pecora unfortunately ends his day with two DNFs while Mayfield now assumes second. Mayfield tries all he can to get around Henriksen including a last lap dive, but it’s not enough as Henriksen adds yet another Grand National Super Series Presented By ECC trophy to his collection. Mayfield crosses the line second, Andexler ends his night with an impressive third, Wallace grabs fourth, and Stapleton collects another fifth in a breakout night for the #42. Winning the Howe Racing Enterprises Hard Charger Award for race two is fan favorite Dave Hutchinson in the #62.

Next on the docket is a trip to the beach as we stop by beautiful Bobby Watson’s Carteret Speedway this Saturday night. Who conquers the popular flat 4/8 Emerald Isle bullring?

Franklin County Twin 50 #1 Results

1. #19 – Jeremy Mayfield
2. #23 – Chrissy Wallace
3. #46 – AJ Henriksen
4. #18 – Chris Burns
5. #42 – Mitchell Stapleton
6. #75 – Garrett Andexler
7. #62 – Dave Hutchinson
8. #9 – Walter Pecora
9. #81 – Isaiah Hogan

Franklin County Twin 50 #2 Results:

1. #46 – AJ Henriksen
2. #19 – Jeremy Mayfield
3. #75 – Garrett Andexler
4. #23 – Chrissy Wallace
5. #42 – Mitchell Stapleton
6. #13 – Richard Caldwell
7. #62 – Dave Hutchinson
8. #9 – Walter Pecora
9. #81 – Isaiah Hogan