Cory Hall Scores 'Super Sunday' SLM Win at New Smyrna

"Super Sunday" brought sprint races for the Late Model divisions at the World Series of Asphalt Stock Car Racing at New Smyrna Speedway, with Cory Hall scoring the Super Late Model victory.

Hall led all 35 laps of the Super Late Model feature to open the evening, finishing ahead of Derek Griffith and Cole Butcher. The win was Hall's first in the World Series, coming in just his second-ever Super Late Model race.

Hall was just as surprised as many of the fans in attendance to see his winning performance on Sunday evening.

“I’m kind of in shock," said Hall. "I knew we had a stout King Competition Hamke Race Car, but I didn’t expect this at all. It’s pretty cool, especially when we came down here a couple of years ago in the Pro [Late Model], we weren’t able to finish it off.

“It’s cool to come down here and finish it off against the best. It’s cool to race against Derek and guys like us that are trying to make it happen, especially up in Canada."

The win is a big one for Hall, but he also hopes it's a sign of things to come for the rest of the week.

“It’s huge. We’ve just got a couple more adjustments to keep getting this thing better and better and we’re on the right track. This is my second race ever in a Super. All I’ve ever done is Pro Late racing, so I’m trying to learn that. I’m hazing the tires a little bit, but I’m having a lot of fun driving this big horsepower.”

Two-time World Series Super Late Model champion Derek Griffith finished second, giving him two podium finishes to start this year's World Series.

“We were just tight again," said Griffith. "New car to us, we’re close, we’re so close. He was really fast all night. I thought I was going to get him on that long run when I caught him. Once I started playing defense on Cole, it couldn’t catch back up.

“Another podium after a couple of long nights for me. I’m feeling good, I’m ready to go. Next one is the ASA 200 race, so I’m ready."

Griffith and the rest of the Super Late Model lineup will focus on practicing Monday ahead of Tuesday's ASA STARS National Tour Clyde Hart Memorial 200, which will present a much different challenge than the shorter races so far in the World Series.

“Consistency is key with this deal," said Griffith. "Look at the podium a couple of days ago and look at it now. Me and Cole were up here. It’s so hard to pass here when those 35-lap runs come out. You’ve really got to drive so hard. The 200-lapper is really going to let the cream rise to the top, as they say.

“ I’ve never really been good in the 200-lapper, so I can’t say too much, but I also had some bad luck with that other car. We think this one’s good, it’s showing good, we’ll keep plugging away and getting better.”

Butcher finished third, with Gavan Boschele fourth and Carson Brown credited with fifth in the final running order. The original fifth-place finisher, William Sawalich, was disqualified following the race.

Super Late Models will only practice on Monday ahead of Tuesday's Clyde Hart Memorial. The Tour Modifieds and Florida Modifieds join the ASA STARS National Tour on Tuesday's racing program.

-Photo credit: Will Bellamy

Super Late Model 35 Unofficial Results