Dutch Boy 150 UPDATE - Last Lap Pass in Last Race before Flat Rock Return!
Dutch Boy 150 UPDATE - Last Lap Pass in Last Race before Flat Rock Return!
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — For 204 laps, William Sawalich was the class of the ARCA Menards Series East field Saturday during the Music City 200 at Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway.
However, all it takes is one lap to change the outcome of a race.
Luke Fenhaus took the lead from Sawalich during an overtime, final-lap restart and survived a bump entering Turn 3 to secure his maiden ARCA Menards Series East victory, just one race before the ARCA returns to Metro Detroit for the first time since 2000 on Saturday, May 20th for the Flat Rock Speedway Dutch Boy 150.
RELATED: Buy Dutch Boy 150 tickets here!
“What a race car,” said Fenhaus. “We struggled early on, and I wasn’t sure what we were going to do with the green-white-checkered. I knew the 15 was close to me. I just wasn’t sure how the green-white-checkered was going to play out. I had one job, to hold him on the bottom off 2, and I knew I’d get him.”
Sawalich was on cruise control as the laps clicked off and looked well on his way to his second victory of the season, but after he took the white flag, a spin by Rita Goulet brought out the caution flag.
Per ARCA Menards Series East rules, if the caution flag waves on the white-flag lap, then the restart that follows is a one-lap dash to the checkered flag.
Fenhaus restarted on the outside of Sawalich and got a big jump as the field roared toward Turn 1. He was able to clear Sawalich at the exit of Turn 2, but Sawalich did his best to root him out of the way entering Turn 3.
The driver from Wausau, Wisconsin shook off Sawalich’s attempt at a bump-and-run to score his first ARCA platform victory and the first series victory for the Pinnacle Racing Group.
Sawalich dominated Saturday at Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway until the final lap. He was the fastest driver in practice, won the General Tire Pole Award and led every lap of the race until the final circuit.
“I knew we had the fastest car. It was just a matter of executing,” Sawalich said. “I think he jumped the start a little bit, but stuff happens like that. I got a shot in the rear and spun my tires. Unfortunately we ended up losing, but we definitely had the fastest car here.”
Hingorani finished third, with the debuting Gio Ruggiero and Jake Finch completing the top five.
A replay of the Music City 200 will air on May 21 at 12:30 p.m. ET on CNBC.
The ARCA Menards Series East returns to action Saturday, May 20 with the inaugural running of the Dutch Boy 150 at Michigan’s Flat Rock Speedway. The race will be shown live at 7:30 p.m. ET on FloRacing.
About the Dutch Boy 150
For the first time since the year 2000, ARCA National Series stock car racing returns to Metro Detroit on Saturday May 20th, 2023 with the ARCA Menards Series East Dutch Boy 150. The 150 lap feature will be the main event of this big night of racing at the Level Pebble. Also featured will be DTS Drive Train Specialists Street Stock racing, as well as R&M Recycling Figure 8 action from the local divisions in the heart of southeast Michigan.
For the first time in Flat Rock Speedway history, we will hold an ARCA Menards Series East Autograph Session in the pit area! Session will begin at 6 p.m. and run to 6:45 p.m.
The ARCA Menards East Series, Figure 8’s and Street Stocks will all take part in the autograph session.
Advance sale tickets for the Dutch Boy 150 ARCA Menards East race at Flat Rock Speedway are on sale now - click here for more information!
May 20, 2023 - 07:00 PM EDT Flat Rock Speedway
Dutch Boy 150: ARCA Menards Series East Stock Cars--150 laps, plus Figure 8, Street Stocks. Racer's Reunion. NIGHT RACING BEGINS!