OWOSSO, Mich. — The JEGS/CRA All-Stars Tour Presented by Chevrolet Performance rolled into Owosso Speedway on Saturday with 28 cars ready to do battle in the $10,000-to-win Big O Classic 100.
After two opening races with missed shifts creating missed opportunities for Chase Pinsonneault, he rebounded with a near-perfect performance on Saturday at Owosso that resulted in his first career JEGS Tour win and first win in the United States in a template late model.
The night of near-perfection began during qualifying for Pinsonneault when he laid down a track record setting lap in single car qualifying with a 14.775. His lap busts Chase Burda’s track record lap from a year ago of 14.841.
After the redraw on the frontstretch, former Masters of the Pros winner Cole Williams and former JEGS Tour winner, Steve Dorer led the 26 car field to the green flag after two engine failures leading up to the main event. At the drop of the green flag, Williams looked sporty leading the first seven laps before Evan Shotko took the lead on lap 8. The first caution of the night set up the chance for someone to overthrow Shotko, and the opportunity was answered.
Rookie of the Year Candidate and Championship Contender, Chase Pinsonneault began the first of multiple battles with Shotko on the outside after a restart, but quickly tucked back in line before working to Shotko’s inside.. Pinsonneault took the lead on lap 21, before Shoko, after several laps hanging on the outside, went back to the front on lap 31, for one lap. Pinsoneault led a long green flag stretch from laps 33-72.
Shotko took advantage of a late racing restart with 27 laps to go to put his No.22 back to the front and he seemed to have Pinsonneault covered but the No.14 found a second wind as Shotko got tight. Pinsonneault drew back alongside and the pair raced door-to-door for at least 10 laps around the Speedway.
Finally, with five laps to go, Pinsonneault pointed the No. 14 to the lead and cleared Shotko off turn two. Fellow Canadian, Kyle Steckley, made quick work of Shotko as well, taking the second spot at the line. Shotko held on for third, with Brett Robinson fourth, and Billy VanMeter fifth.
An emotional Pinsonneault spoke about what it meant to win the event after such a tough start.
“Oh, I mean, there’s no better feeling than this,” Pinsonneault told Zach Hiser in victory lane. “This is amazing; I’m just so happy to be here. The only thing I can say, is this group right here, I’m so thankful for these guys.
“This CHR team, Carson Hocevar Racing Development has been an awesome team and great people to work with.”