Special from Speed51.com – Christopher Tullis had a chance to go back-to-back in the state of Alabama two weeks ago at South Alabama Speedway, but ultimately came up just short in a heated battle over the final laps with Stephen Nasse in the Baby Rattler 125. On Saturday night in his home state of Georgia, Tullis struck back and beat one of the best in the business.
Contact in turns three and four just before the halfway point of the race allowed Tullis to slide underneath Nasse and take the lead for the first time. Amid several restarts during the second half, the Georgia driver was able to fend off Nasse before pulling away late and winning his first-career JEGS/CRA All-Stars Tour race at Crisp Motorsports Park.
“He had a hell of a car just like we did, it was going to come down to one of the two of us there. I saved a little bit when he got out into the lead hoping we would be able to outdo him,” Tullis said on the Speed51.TV broadcast. “We got next to him on that restart and we were able to.”
Saturday night’s Georgia Spring Nationals win was Tullis’ second in just three races in 2021, following a win in the Alabama 200 earlier in the month. After three races, it appears his strong 2020 season has carried over into the new year.
“What can I say? Three races, two wins and a second, you can’t really start a year off much better than that,” said Tullis. “It goes back to all the preparation we do at the shop and all the people we got behind us and supporting us to come out and do this deal right here.”
Nasse took the lead from the onset of the 100-lapper and led most of the first half before losing the lead to Tullis. The reigning Southern Super Series champion was glued to the bumper of Tullis for most of the second half before fading in the final laps.
While he admitted his No.51 wasn’t quite as good as what it needed to be to get back around Tullis, Nasse also mentioned that he wouldn’t forget the contact that saw him lose the lead.
“The No.51 car was good tonight, just didn’t have enough there. I definitely got beat just a little bit in the long run. Christopher had a good car and definitely ran me hard. I don’t know if he meant to get into me or not but that’s racing. I’m sure I’ll see him on the road again soon and I’m sure he knows he’s got one coming.”
Defending track champion Brandon Brilliant finished out the podium, while Rafe Slate and Justin Bonnett completed the top-five.
A replay of Saturday’s JEGS/CRA All-Stars Tour race at Crisp Motorsports Park will be available soon on Speed51.TV.
-Story by: Koty Geyer, Speed51 National Correspondent – Twitter: @kgeyer3
-Photo Credit: Speed51/Ryan Nuttleman
JEGS/CRA All-Stars Tour Unofficial Results:
- Christopher Tullis
- Stephen Nasse
- Brandon Brilliant
- Rafe Slate
- Justin Bonnett
- Allen Gordon
- Cody Hall
- Harrison Halder
- Zach Johnson
- Spencer Bragg
- Joey Strode
- Graham Campbell
- Hudson halder
- Evan Shotko
- Josh Hicks
