A look back at the season opener from New Smyrna Speedway…
The Big Show
The Tuesday night, February 13 ASA STARS National Tour “Clyde Hart Memorial 200” at New Smyrna Speedway was BIG – in many ways.
The 52 entries marked the most, according to local authorities, since perhaps the 1980’s when the World Series of Asphalt Racing attracted 50+ cars each year.
The $15,000 plus winners share of the near $70,000 race purse was the largest ever for the Clyde Hart Memorial event, and for the World Series of Asphalt.
And the crowd – an overflow grandstand and parking lot led to a standing-room-only experience for the fans on hand, who were greeted by a four-wide salute from the starting field prior to the green flag.
Clash of the Titans
Perhaps the two biggest short track stars of this generation, Bubba Pollard and Ty Majeski, did not disappoint the huge crowd. Majeski, the 2016 World Series of Asphalt champion at New Smyrna Speedway, began what may or may not be defense of his 2023 ASA STARS National Tour title by leading a race high 105 laps and winning the 2nd stage and a $1,000 bonus courtesy of Phoenix Water Solutions as the stage break sponsor.
Pollard, the 2013 World Series champ, ran down Majeski with less than 20 laps to go, earning his 2nd ASA STARS National Tour victory, his 4th win in World Series racing action, and his 9th career win at New Smyrna Speedway.
Coming Out Party for Crews
Each year, someone emerges from the World Series of Asphalt as a break-out star, and this year was no exception. Brent Crews, the former TransAmTA2 champion, finished 4th in the Clyde Hart Memorial 200, and scored his first career super-late model win in the Orange Blossom 100 – clinching the 2024 World Series of Asphalt championship.
Good Night for Noland
Rising star Jett Noland turned in a stellar performance in the ASA STARS National Tour Clyde Hart Memorial, finishing runner-up to race winner Bubba Pollard.
Noland, the 20 year old from Groveland, FL qualified 9th and remained in the top ten through the first stage. The youngster then began marching towards the front, finishing 3rd at the end of stage 2 before settling for 2nd to Pollard at the drop of the checkers.
Making the Show
The ASA STARS National Tour “Clyde Hart Memorial 200” entry list bulged past 50 prior to race day, making Go Fas pole qualifying even more important. Connor Jones topped single car qualifying, earning the $1,000 Go Fas Pole Award, leading the twenty two teams locked into the Clyde Hart Memorial 200 by time.
Full-time ARCA Menards Series driver Kris Wright was victorious in the 20 lap Last Chance Qualifying Race, in which 6 of the 13 teams advanced to the main event: Hunter Wright, Nicholas Naugle, Treyton Lapcevich, Kyle Steckley, and Derek Griffith.
Welcome Back
Pulaski, MS driver Casey Roderick made his return to the ASA STARS National Tour on Tuesday, piloting the #26 Platinum Racing Chevrolet for Anthony Campi Racing.
Roderick qualified third for the Clyde Hart Memorial 200, and earned a $1,000 bonus courtesy of Phoenix Water Solutions for winning the first stage. He led the race on two occasions for a total of 25 laps, and earned a podium finish (3rd) in his first ASA STARS National Tour race since The Father’s Day 100 on June 14, 2023 at the Milwaukee Mile.
Up Next
The ASA STARS National Tour will return to action on Sunday afternoon, March 24 for the Sunshine State 200 at the legendary Five Flags Speedway in Pensacola, FL.The event will be a “Spring Break Stock Car Double Header,” as the ASA STARS National Tour will be joined by the ARCA Menards Series East on Saturday, March 23. All tickets can be purchased online, at 5flagsspeedway.com or trackenterprises.com.
