Jones, MI (July 10, 2011) – The CRA Super Series invaded the M-40 Speedway for the first time, with the Independence Day 125 and the drivers fought each for every position racing side by side for laps at a time as they raced for the lead. And it was a first time winner with the CRA Super Series as Steve Dorer had traveled from his Lakeland, FL home with his RCE Motorsports Team to win.

Photo by CGphotos.net

Terry Fisher, Jr. started on the pole after the invert with Tyler Roahrig on the outside. Fisher jumped out to the early lead, while Dorer moved from his fifth place starting position to second. Following a caution on the 12^th lap, Steve Dorer got around Fisher on the restart from the high side to take the lead. While Fisher worked the track to find the fastest way around the 3/8 mile speedway. "For a while I was all over the place looking for the right one for me today, and I found it up high." Fisher stated.

Dorer and Fisher battled lap after lap, with Dorer on the inside and Fisher on the outside. Fisher briefly retook the lead on the 37^th lap before Dorer retook the lead one lap later. Dorer had a scare when a car spun in front of him and as he checked up Fisher could not stop fast enough and made contact with Dorer sending him hard into the wall damaging the rear of his car. Since he was not the cause of the caution Dorer was given his spot back per CRA rules. However the back of his car was pushed up and he was unable to use his mirror to see behind him for the rest of the race.

While Dorer and Fisher battled Nick Gullatta caught them, pulling up into the battle for the lead.  As the laps wore down Fisher dropped back to third, Gullatta ended up second right on Dorer’s bumper and raced him clean to the end.  Roahrig finished fourth, with Griffin fifth by mere inches.

"I have to thank god for helping me with this win."  Dorer stated.  "And I have to thank Nick (Gullatta) for racing me clean, I couldn't see out the back and did not know he was there."

Photo by CGphotos.net

Second on the list for most Fast Qualifier Awards for the CRA Super Series, former Series Champion Kenny Tweedy set his first fast time since 2007 with a lap of 12.788 seconds to set the first CRA Super Series track record and earn the EDCO Welding Fast Qualifier Award.  John Long was second after turning a lap of 12.840.  Steve Dorer was third, Derik Griffin fourth and in a tie for fifth, Nick Gullatta, Tyler Roahrig and Terry Fisher, Jr.  All three drivers turned a lap of 12.900 seconds, per CRA rules, the order in the lineup is determined by the order they qualified, Gullatta qualified first and was considered fifth, Roahrig was second and was considered sixth and Fisher went out toward the end so he was seventh.  With a draw of seven Fisher was on the pole with Roahrig on the outside of the front row.

The Hoosier Racing Tire Performance Awards went to Dorer and rookie contender Mason Mingus. Mingus also was the Lane Automotive/ISKY Racing Cams Hardcharger Award and Racing Electronics Hardcharger Award winner for moving up nine positions from his starting place.

For his work on the outside of the track, staying side by side with Dorer for many laps, Fisher earned the AR Bodies Cool Move of the Race Award. Fisher also earned the VDL Hot Lap of the Race Award for turning the fastest lap during the race.

Griffin was the Rookie of the Race Award winner and the VDL Fuel Systems Rookie Award for being the highest finishing rookie contender. He finished only one place ahead of Mingus. Mingus earned the Cometic Rookie Award going to second highest finishing rookie contender.

In an unusal twist the Safety Solutions Tough Luck Award for the most body damage during the race went to Dorer who shortened his car quite a bit in his spin, but continued on to the win. Dorer also took home the Turn One Lap Leader Award for leading the most laps, and the RaceTrailerSales.com Halfway Leader Award.

The Team Construction Clean Sweep award again went unclaimed as the fast qualifier did not win the race. It will roll over again to the astonishing total of $1600 if it is claimed at the next CRA Super Series event at Plymouth Speedway in Plymouth, IN on July 24^th. Expected entries include 2^nd generation star Ross Kenseth, Scott Hantz, Jeff Lane, Flyin’ Brian Ross, and Tyler Roahrig. The EDCO Welding CRA Street Stocks will also be on the bill at the Mid-Summer Championships. Vore’s Welding and Steel CRA FWD Compacts in a special non points event, with 4 Divisions racing in the same event with trophies for each division. For more information about any CRA division see www.craracing.net.

Independence Day 125 Official Results

Independence Day 125 Lineup

Independence Day 125 Qualifying Results

Independence Day 125 Practice #2 Results

Independence Day 125 Practice #1 Results