DUNDEE, N.Y. — Brock Zearfoss has been a man on a mission thus far in 2019, and now his mission his complete.
For the first time in his career, Zearfoss is an Ollie’s Bargain Outlet All Star Circuit of Champions presented by Mobil 1 main event winner. He led all 30 circuits on Friday night at Outlaw Speedway to secure a $5,000 payday.
Despite maintaining command the entire distance, the top spot on the podium was not an easy reach, as the Jonestown, Pennsylvania- native and former Port Royal Speedway champion was forced to withstand heavy pressure from fellow full-time All Star traveler and recent BAPS Motor Speedway winner Cory Eliason.
“I wanted to get this one so bad for my team. They have been working their tails off all season,” Brock Zearfoss said. “We’ve had the speed to win all year, but no luck to go with it. It feels great to get it done here tonight. I’m so proud of these guys.”
Starting from the pole position, Zearfoss rocketed to an early lead, keeping Rudeen Racing’s Eliason and former World of Outlaws champion Dave Blaney at bay.
Although left behind initially, Eliason wasted little time applying the pressure on Zearfoss, nearly pulling even with the ‘Jonestown Jet’ as the pair battled off of turn two on lap four. Just as Eliason was set to make a move in traffic, caution flags waved giving Zearfoss an opportunity to restart in clean air with a clear track ahead.
The next five circuits went undisturbed for the Premier Motorsports entry, that until caution flags waved again on lap 13, once again giving Zearfoss the single-file advantage. When green flag action resumed, Zearfoss returned to the topside of the speedway, but this time increasing his lead as the laps clicked off the counter.
By lap 22, Zearfoss’ advantage increased to nearly a straightaway, and despite recurring traffic, Eliason was unable to make up the distance.
Flowing through traffic effortlessly, it was not until the final circuit that Zearfoss encountered a major roadblock; a trio of lapped cars hogging most of the speedway, ultimately leaving little room to navigate.
A slight hesitation by Zearfoss allowed Eliason the opportunity for a last-ditch effort maneuver around the familiar No. 70, but the attempt did not succeed. Zearfoss drove through the final two corners unscathed to claim top honors at Outlaw Speedway.
“Things got pretty sketchy,” Zearfoss said. “I just kinda floated through the corner and I thought to myself ‘I just lost it on the last lap.’ But it all worked out. We got it done tonight and that’s all that matters.”
Eliason held on to finish second at the final checkers, followed by Dave Blaney, who battled the final laps with a severed nose wing, Gerard McIntyre, and Danny Varin.
The finish:
Feature: 1. 70-Brock Zearfoss [1]; 2. 26-Cory Eliason [4]; 3. 98H-Dave Blaney [2]; 4. O7-Gerard McIntyre [5]; 5. OO-Danny Varin [6]; 6. 5-Justin Barger [7]; 7. 70X-Spencer Bayston [12]; 8. 87-Aaron Reutzel [15]; 9. 11-Dale Blaney [13]; 10. 13-Paul McMahan [10]; 11. 99-Skylar Gee [8]; 12. 35Z-Jared Zimbardi [9]; 13. 35-Tyler Esh [11]; 14. 22-Brandon Spithaler [24]; 15. K4-Chad Kemenah [21]; 16. W20-Greg Wilson [16]; 17. 98-Joe Trenca [14]; 18. 46-Michael Bauer [19]; 19. 40-George Hobaugh [23]; 20. 10-Joe Kata [20]; 21. 72-Ryan Smith [17]; 22. 14-Tony Stewart [18]; 23. J4-John Garvin [22]; 24. 29-Dan Shetler [3] Lap Leaders: Brock Zearfoss (1-30)