Hunter Wright Snags World Series Win on Night #3 at New Smyrna

A skirmish between Conner Jones and Jimmy Renfrew, Jr. on a green-white-checkered restart opened the door for Hunter Wright to claim the Pro Late Model win on Night #3 of the World Series of Asphalt Stock Car Racing at New Smyrna Speedway.

Wright lined up on the second row for the decisive restart, following a caution to clean up fluid from Treyten Lapcevich's machine. To that point, Jones had led all but four laps in the 35-lap race, and took the outside lane for the restart.

As the field entered turn one, Renfrew's car slid up the race track, making contact with Jones. As they wrestled for control, Hunter Wright surged to the lead. Renfrew settled into third position, while Jones nearly fell out of the top 10 and finished ninth.

Jones shared his displeasure after the race before bringing his car to pit road, while Wright celebrated the win. While it was the Tennessee driver's third World Series Pro Late Model win, it's the first time he has been able to celebrate in victory lane.

Both on Friday night to start this year's World Series and in a win one year ago, Wright crossed the line second and inherited the win following post-race technical inspection. This time, Wright captured the flag and enjoyed the full spoils of the win.

“It was a little crazy," said Wright about the final restart. "I probably would have taken the top, all things considered, if I was running third, too, just staying with the leader. They got a little rowdy there on the restart before that, so I told my dad spotting for me that they’d probably do it again. They got a little rowdy, and this time we came out on top.

“I’m glad we finally got one on the race track. We’ve won two, but they’ve both been in tech. We finally crossed the line first. All things considered, you’ve got to take them how you can get them. These races are hard to win. There’s a lot of competition out here.”

Renfrew expressed that he didn't want to make contact with Jones on the final restart, nor did he believe the contact was as detrimental as Jones perceived.

"Barely a mark on there," said Renfrew, gesturing to his car. "I'm not really sure where I hit him. I was sideways in the oil there. I think he was wrecking loose himself.

"We wrecked a car last night, this was the backup car. We worked real hard all day on this thing to be able to come out here tonight. Like I say, no intentions on hitting Conner. He was the better car, he had the race won, and I was happy finishing second after last night and the day we had today. Just unfortunate. I apologize to him. Definitely not on purpose, but at the end of the day, nothing you can do in the oil."

As for Jones, he had entered the World Series looking to turn a new page in terms of his racing approach. That was on display Saturday night in a close battle with Spencer Davis for the win.

Sunday's incident gave Jones second thoughts on that mindset.

"We had it won," said Jones. "We tried to race clean this week, trying to take on a new persona. Maybe it's time to let the beast back out."

Meanwhile, Jade Avedisian scored her second podium finish of the week, but it was not without incident. Avedisian apologized for contact with Max Reaves earlier in the race before focusing on the runner-up finish.

"I just want to apologize to the 18 on that. He just checked up. I can't make up an excuse. I just rode in there with a lot of speed, and I accidentally spun him. I take all the blame for that one, it was completely my fault.

"It's cool to be on the frontstraightaway again," added Avedisian. "Third last night, second tonight. We just need one more spot better, but I feel like that was a very messy race for me. I put myself in a lot of bad spots, and I haven't been doing that the past week. I was thinking it was time to go, go, go, and I just need to calm down and get in a rhythm."

Randy Sargent finished fourth, with Taylor Reimer rounding out the top five.

The Pro Late Models will again be on track on Monday night a New Smyrna Speedway, alongside the Tour-type Modifieds, 602 Modifieds and Florida Modifieds.

-Photo credit: Jason Reasin

Pro Late Model 35 Unofficial Results