THOMPSON – The promoters at Thompson Speedway tagged their Thompson Outlaw Open Modified feature Friday at as a “Dash for Cash”.
When it was go time for Mike Christopher Jr. on Friday at Thompson, he lived up to that dashing part of the event.
Christopher went from fourth place on lap 28 to the lead by lap 33 then drove away from the field over the final 15 laps to win the 50-lap Thompson Outlaw Modified feature Friday at the Sunoco World Series at Thompson.
“Just a phenomenal car,” Christopher said. “We were able to save a lot and have enough at the end. That was really fun.”
Christopher, of Wolcott, earned a $5,000 for his Jimmy Paige owned team.
Ronnie Williams of Lebanon was second and Teddy Hodgdon IV of Danbury was third.
The top three finishers will all be in the field for the $10,000 to win Monaco Modified Tri-Track Series Constantine Paving & Sealing 75 on Saturday at Thompson Speedway.
“[Christopher] definitely had the better car so congrats to those guys,” Williams said. “Their car looked good. We’ve got some homework to do but I’m confident in our guys and hopefully we’ll get the big prize tomorrow.”
Said Hodgdon: “Just started too free,” Hodgdon said. “We were fighting tight tight tight all day and then for some reason it just switched over on us. Overall a good way to start the weekend.”
Williams got the jump on Christopher at the drop of the green flag.
Patrick Emerling used the outside lane on lap two to overtake Christopher for second. A lap later Woody Pitkat went by Christopher for third place.
On lap six Emerling took a peek under Williams through turns three and four, but Williams powered back down the frontstretch.
Emerling continued to pester Willams on lap seven before Williams found some breathing room in the lead off turn two on lap eight.
By lap 15 the top three of Williams, Emerling and Pitkat had checked out by half a straightway over the fourth place battle happening between Christopher and Teddy Hodgdon IV.
By lap 21 Christopher had found his way back to within four cars lengths of the lead trio.
As Williams was getting some breathing room on Emerling on lap 24, Christopher was pestering Pitkat for third place.
On lap 28 Christopher made a move under Pitkat into turn one. The pair went side-by-side down the backstretch before Christopher took the third place spot from Pitkat off of turn four.
Christopher continued his charge on lap 29, getting under Emerling into turn three and coming off of turn four with second place.
Christopher found the bumper of Williams on lap 32 and got under him off of turn four. Christopher then completed the pass for the lead by Williams into turn one on lap 33.
“I saw those three, they were racing,” Christopher said. “There was a lot of room behind me so I figured I could just save a little bit. I didn’t want to let them get too far away, but they kept racing and racing and racing. These tires can’t take it. We just played the right strategy with no yellows.”
After getting by Williams, Christopher was able to quickly open up a five car length advantage at the front within two laps.
By lap 38 Christopher had opened a little more than a half second lead over Williams at the front. Behind the top two, Pitkat and Emerling were in a fierce battle for third.
On lap 42 Hodgdon joined the battle for third between Pitkat and Emerling. Hodgdon went by Emerling for fourth place on lap 43. By lap 46 Christopher had opened a 1.3 second lead over Williams out front.
On lap 48 Hodgdon made a diving mover under Pitkat into turn three to take over third.
Check the RaceDayCT Insider Page for full results from the 50-lap Thompson Outlaw Modified feature
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