Heckert Celebrates First NASCAR K&N Pro Series East Win at Watkins Glen International in New York
- 13 Aug 2014
Andrew Ranger led a total of thirty laps in his Waste Management Bagster Ford during the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East Bully Hill Vineyards 125 race at Watkins Glen International. Despite leading the majority of the race, Scott Heckert was able to come past Ranger on the inside during lap number fifty-one. Ranger and Cole Custer, in the 00 Napa Auto Parts Chevrolet, had been battling for the lead when a caution flag on lap forty-nine slowed down the race and forced a restart. With just two laps to go Ranger and Custer battled side by side with Custer trying to make a move on the outside. Unfortunately for both young men, this opened up a window of opportunity for Scott Heckert to sneak by on the inside just before the white flag.
“I was able to hold the lead for a long time, but unfortunately, with green-white-checkered attempts, things can get a little crazy,” remarked Andrew Ranger. He continued “The No. 00 car was really fast on the restarts and I was focused on him on the outside and never really worried about the inside and unfortunately I got passed.” With Scott Heckert leading in his number 34 Project Lifesaver Chevrolet, Cole Custer decided to make a final attempt at a pass during the last lap of the Bully Hill Vineyards 125. Unfortunately Custer's last stand was unsuccessful and as a result he lost control hitting the sand barrels used to slow down cars in case of emergency.
Ben Rhodes, who leads the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East championship points, had to work his way up to third place. At one point Rhodes was out of the top ten, but patiently made his way toward the front. “I got pushed back on one of the restarts but worked my way up, started passing people and watching what they were doing. I just went back out there and started to pick people off and save our stuff” said Rhodes.
For a number of reasons the win for Scott Heckert was an emotional victory. Not only was this his first career win after two years of driving in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East series, but as a Ridgefield, Connecticut resident Heckert grew up watching races at Watkins Glen International. “Watkins Glen means a lot to me and my family. My dad's been coming here for forty years and it means a lot to us” said Heckert. Ben Rhodes continues to lead the championship points race, with Cameron Hayley trailing by 75 points and a mere seven points separating Hayley and Brandon Jones who sits in third. The next NASCAR K&N Pro Series East race will be the Biscuitville 125 at Virginia International Raceway. |
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