NASCAR Fill-in Driver Sergio Pena Scores 5th K&N Pro Series Win In Wild VIR Finish

Scott Heckert broke his own track record in qualifying and led a majority of the Virginia International Raceway Biscuitville 125 before a broken rear end put him out of contention for the win

Going into Saturday night’s race, there was no doubt that defending NASCAR K&N Pro Series East race and pole winner Scott Heckert was the one to watch for the win. The HScott motorsports driver broke his own track record in qualifying and led a majority of the race. Unfortunately, a broken rear end on lap 47 resulted in Heckert finishing the race 15th. When asked about his unfortunate luck, Heckert said, “I was having so much fun battling with Austin [Hill] for the lead. My team gave me the car to win and we just had bad luck. We are going into Richmond with a positive attitude and looking to make up points in the championship run.”

On the second Green-White-Checkered finish attempt of the Biscuitville 125 at VIR, leader Austin Hill spun in turn one resulting in NASCAR Next driver Dalton Sargeant taking the lead

With Scott Heckert out of contention, many other eager drivers hoped to take their shot at ending up in Victory Lane. In the last five laps there were between 3 and 4 lead changes on the tricky 2.5 mile road course. On the second Green-White-Checkered finish attempt, leader Austin Hill spun in turn one resulting in NASCAR Next driver Dalton Sargeant taking the lead. Sergio Pena started fifth on the final restart and was sitting in third after Sargeant took the lead. On turn 7 of the final lap Dalton Sargeant went spinning, leaving Pena and Kaz Grala to battle it out for the checkered flag. Coming down the front shoot to the start finish line, Pena and Grala made contact. Pena took the lead and the Biscuitville 125 win in his number 42 Special Smiles Pediatric Dentistry Toyota.

On the final lap Dalton Sargeant spun, leaving Pena and Kaz Grala to battle it out for the checkered flag, with Pena taking the lead and the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East Biscuitville 125 win

Sergio Pena, a 22-year old Virginia Native, was a fill-in driver for primary Rev Racing driver Jay Beasley while he is out for medical reasons. “This win is for Jay Beasley, he deserves to be in this car. In the end I can’t thank Rev Racing and the NASCAR Drive for Diversity Program enough. They could have chosen a lot of people but they chose me and I am glad we ended up in Victory Lane,” said Pena during a victory lane interview. Pena is hoping this win opens opportunities for him to get back into the sport allowing him to continue climbing the ranks.

Sergio Pena was a fill-in driver for primary Rev Racing driver Jay Beasley, but Pena hopes this win opens opportunities for him to get back into a car allowing him to continue up the ranks

Kaz Grala took home the runner up position in his number 3 Kiklos Toyota Camry followed by Sunoco Rookie of the Year contender David Garbo Jr. This was Garbo’s first podium finish in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East. Fellow rookie of the year contender and Rev Racing driver Collin Cabre brought home the fourth position while Jj Haley, after leading for six laps, rounded out the top five.

William Byron still leads the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East championship points chase over Scott Heckert by 12 points going into the UNOH 100 at Richmond International Raceway. Austin Hill, who sits in third place, has further narrowed the gap between him and Scott Heckert. The NASCAR K&N Pro Series East will return to the track for the UNOH 100 at Richmond International Raceway on Thursday, September 10, 2015.

Story Author Hannah Newhouse

Hannah is an 18-year old sophomore at Boise State University in search of her marketing degree. Along with a full-time college schedule, she competes in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series West and traveling super late model series. If not behind the wheel of a car, Hannah plans to make her career in the field of marketing and public relations for the world of motorsports.