MARYSVILLE, N.C. — The Marysville Raceway provided a vast number of thrills and excitement on Sunday night for the Sprint Car Challenge Tour presented by Elk Grove Ford and Abreu Vineyards.
In the end it was Tanner Carrick who held off all challengers for the $3,500 grand prize at the 22nd Mel and Marlyn Hall Memorial.
It marked Carrick’s second career Sprint Car Challenge Tour win and came aboard the CVC Concrete/ Harris and Sloan No. 83T entry.
Early in the 35-lapper it was a battle of the Carrick’s as Tanner jumped out to the lead ahead of younger brother Blake. A multi-groove surface was seen and allowed the top 360 drivers in the west an opportunity to showcase their skills to the solid crowd on hand. Fremont’s Shane Golobic worked his way to the front on lap eight when he slipped to the inside of T. Carrick on lap nine.
It didn’t last long however, as Carrick powered back to the outside to regain the spot with lapped cars in the mix.
Several movers and shakers were seen with Roseville’s Sean Becker, Modesto’s Tony Gomes and others in the mix. Becker navigated the Cook Motorsports No. 22x into the runner up spot when he sliced to the inside of Golobic, before then feeling the heat from Gomes.
A lap-19 restart saw Becker make his move for the top spot when he got to the inside of Carrick to nip him at the line, but it was negated when the red lights flashed for Dawson Hammes.
Carrick then held command but felt heavy pressure lap after lap from Becker who pounded the cushion in pursuit of the Lincoln driver. With 26 circuits complete the “Shark” crossed under Carrick to snag the lead heading down the front stretch with the fans coming to their feet. Carrick remained poised though and fought back by to lead lap 27. After going back and forth with Gomes for second Becker gave it a shot on the final lap, but Carrick hit his marks to accept the checkered flag.
Becker crossed the stripe in second, followed by Gomes, Golobic and Justyn Cox.