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Begnaud and Elkins Score Opening Night Victories

Last night the Lonestar 600 presented by K&K Earthworks took to the track for its first time in 2017. We visited Gulf Coast Speedway to start the year off. A staggering 33 Non Wing's and 7 Restrictor's checked in to see what they had for there first 2017 race.. The 600's and Restrictor's would take to the track and run there heats. There finishes would tell the tale of how there night night end up. Some good some bad. We would get the features posted on the lineup board. Many would rush to see if they made it straight to the main as most would be sitting in a B. We took the top 14 in passing points to go straight to the A-Main. The other would make up the 2 B-Mains. We would run the B-Mains right after intermission. The first B Main would take to the track. Preston Perlmutter would end his night early as his motor would expire. As the laps would click off we would see Bash Fergesun and Matt McDade start trading paint. With only 1 lap to go Matt would pass Bash for the lead. They would touch wheels going into Turn 1. Bash would not like the pass and charge back at Matt. In turn 4 Bash would run over Matt in retaliation sending them both spinning. This would allow CJ Batla to sneak into the A. Second B-Main would roll out. They would take the green to get it called back due to the poll sitter Dan Tucker jumping the start. We would switch the front row and Colin Traylor would lead them to the green. This time a good start. Colin would never look back and win the B. This would set the field for the 25 lap A-Main.

The Restrictor's would take the track first. Wyatt Bruce would lead the field. He and Maverick Elkins would race hard for the first lap. Maverick would win the battle take the front spot. As the field came around the tail of the field Ty Hymel would be forced to the top of the track and tag the wall. He would be done for the rest of the night. Maverick would lead the rest of the 20 laps feature. Maverick would park his 25 in victory lane.

Karter Battarbee and Aaron Barmore would have the highest redraw and sit on the front row. The drivers would go 4 wide to salute the fans at Gulf Coast Speedway. They would get lined back up and tighten those belts one last time. The field would take the green to get it called back as Karter jumped the start. We would slow the field down and switch the front row and Aaron Barmore would lead them to a good green flag. It would be short lived as Aaron and Matter would slap wheels sending Aaron around in turn 1. This would collect the 25m of Micheal McNeil, 13 of Randall McCord and 58 of Colin Traylor. We would untangle cars. Micheal would be the only car to return to the race after the crash. Everyone else would retire for the night. We would get everyone lined back up. This would put Derek Begnaud on the pole. We would take the green and watch the field start to spread out and find there groove. We would run several good laps. On lap 13 Karter Battarbee would find himself sitting backwards on the back straight. This would collect Jefferie Flisowski as he had would have nowhere to go. The crash would send Jefferie for a single flip and land back on all fours. Jefferie would climb out on. The drivers would take this red flag to regroup and figure out how to make there lines work. We would get the field back in order. Derek would still be in the lead and take the green. The white flag would fly. Derek would think he had it wrapped up as he drove down the back straight a car would spin in turn 2 to bring out the yellow. We would get the cars lined out and try one last time. Green white checkered. Derek would prevail as the winner leading every lap with Wyatt Rector knocking on his door several times. Derek would park his 7b in victory lane. Tonight's DragonFly Aviation Hard Carter Awards goes to Brandon Schnautz. He passed 15 cars starting 18th and finishing 3rd. He wins $50 for charging hard congrats.

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