Hauck Handles The Lady

Lance Gomez Jr (5) and others get tangled up in Turn Two.

After a very tricky season-opener at Pocono Raceway, the NASCAR iRacing Class C Fixed Series heads to a track with “lady” in the nickname, so you know it’s going to be a crazy ride. Darlington Raceway, also known by many as The Lady in Black, plays host to Week Two of Season Three. The 1.366-mile speedway is different from your traditional oval as its egg-shaped configuration offers a truly unique racing experience. If you are not prepared for what The Lady tosses your way, you will definitely be in for a wild ride.

One racer who was prepared for what Darlington had in store was Brodie Kostecki (Carolina) who was able to win the week’s top Strength of Field event in dominating fashion by leading 34 of the race’s 35 laps. Kostecki started from the outside of the front row and quickly took the lead away from pole sitter Alex Bisson (New England). Kostecki’s closest competitor during the event was Josh Berry (Mid-South) who started in the 13^th position and ended the race on Kostecki’s bumper as they crossed the finish line at the end of 35 laps. Third place was NASCAR iRacing Series World Championship race winner Kevin King (California) who drove his No. 1 Silverado from the 12^th spot into the top three at the end of 35 tough laps. Finishing in the fourth position was Blade Whitt (Carolina) who started in the seventh position and methodically worked his way into the top five. Rounding out the top five was Jesse Atchison (Atlantic) who started from the outside of row two in the 4218 SoF.

Even though he did not compete in the week’s top SoF event, NASCAR iRacing Pro Series driver Brandon Hauck (Canada) was able to earn the most championship points for the week with 260. A pair of NiSWC competitors filled positions two and three with Brandon Kettelle (Florida) and Berry who ended the week with 256 and 250 points, respectively. John R. Wilkins (Florida) made two starts during the week, one of which resulting in a top five finish and 243 championship points. Completing the top five is Nicholas Goertzen (Canada) who netted 239 points.

Jay Beasley (7) leads the field.

To go along with a SoF win for the week, Kostecki also set the fastest qualifying time. Kostecki’s time of 28.548 seconds was just 22 thousandths faster than second place Adam Racine (Canada). Hauck finished the week in the third position with a time of 28.567 as Ethan Lane (Carolina) and Goertzen filled the remaining positions in the top five.

After two weeks of online racing, Berry holds a 10 point lead over second place Hauck. Kettelle holds down the third position, just 28 behind Berry. Goertzen sits in fourth, 31 points out of the lead. Christian Pedersen (New England), Ryan Lowe (Virginias), and Wilkins (Florida) all hold down the fifth position, each 85 points out of the lead.

With trips to Pocono and Darlington to open the season, next week for the NiCCF will be a much-needed relief for some drivers as the drivers will make a trip to the Michigan International Speedway for some fast side-by-side racing at the 2-mile speedway.

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