Steve Banal Scores FUEL 6th Season Opener At Carolina Speedway

Steve Banal Scores FUEL 6th Season Opener At Carolina Speedway

(Gastonia, NC) Continuing the momentum he built in the final races of the 2018 season, Steve Banal picked up a $2500 paycheck in the season opener Friday night at Carolina Speedway. Though the 2017 series champion captured the win, his journey to Victory Lane wasn’t easy as multiple cars showed impressive speed at "The Action Track".

In Renegade Racing Fuel-Ford’s Fuel South East Master Distributor Time Trials, Jay Sessoms topped the charts to earn his 1st Fast Time Award with the series. Banal would secure the victory in PRO FABrication, Inc Heat 1 over Robbie Emory and Sessoms. SRI Dirt & Drag Heat 2 would go to Adam Yarbrough with Shaun Harrell and Matthew Nance rounding out the Top 3.

After a tribute to longtime track and series friend Ginger Owens and Gigi Strong, Banal and Yarbrough led the field to the green in the Rick Hendrick City Chevrolet Main Event. Utilizing the momentum of the outside lane, Yarbrough powered to the race lead. While he maintained his position at the point with Banal in tow, several drivers began jockeying for position in the early stages of the event. In a race that saw multiple drivers move up through the field, other teams suffered mechanical misfortune that ended their bid for a Top 5 finish. Former series winners Robbie Emory, Shaun Harrell, and Willie Milliken were among the group of racers who fell victim to the attrition. At the same time, Austin Holcombe and a host of others were working their way into contention. Despite contact with the outside wall and losing the lead to Banal on a restart, the persistent Yarbrough remained in contention for the win until enduring heartbreak as he slowed to a stop in Turn 3 and retired from the event. The veteran Banal would lead the rest of the way holding off a hard charging Holcombe for the win. They were followed to the finish line by Matthew Nance, series newcomer Derek Rogers, and Gary Puckett.

On behalf of the Fuel Racing Series, we extend our appreciation to Carolina Speedway, their fans, and our race teams. Up next for FUEL is a $2500 To Win event on March 30th at Cherokee Speedway.

For more information about FUEL you can visit the website ( www.fuelracingseries.com ), find us on Facebook (FUEL Racing Series), and follow us on Twitter (@FuelLateModels)

Partners of the FUEL Racing Series include: Chevrolet Performance, Rick Hendrick City Chevrolet, Hoosier Tire South Dirt Oval, Renegade Racing Fuel-Ford's Fuel South East Master Distributor, FK Rod Ends, Velocita, SRI Dirt & Drag, PRO FABrication Inc, Elk Outdoors LLC, Ntense Graphics, and Thomas Clarke Performance.

Carolina Speedway 3/22/19
City Chevrolet Main Event Results
(Pending Lab Test Results)

1) Steve Banal #8B
2) Austin Holcombe #8A
3) Matthew Nance #4
4) Derek Rogers #23
5) Gary Puckett #P90
6) Chris Stowe #2E
7) Bryson Harper #20H
8) Pat Lindsay #89
9) Adam Yarborough #57
10) Robbie Bailey #72
11) Willie Milliken #1
12) Jay Sessoms #84
13) Shawn Harrell #3
14) Travis Steele #5
15) Robbie Emory #9E
16) Charlie Walker #48
17) Coty Tanquary #26