Jake Lutz Captures the Flag for ROC Modified Series Win at Holland

Jake Lutz took the lead from Zane Zeiner late in the Race of Champions Modified Series Crosby's 100 at Holland Speedway, picking up his first win of 2024 with the series.

The victory is Lutz's second with the tour in his career, but in some ways still feels like the first time. Lutz was declared the winner of the 2023 Tommy Druar and Tony Jankowiak 110 at Lancaster Motorplex following technical inspection, but this time Lutz crossed the finish line first for his victory.

"This is awesome," said Lutz in victory lane. "It's good not to have an asterisk next to this one. Honestly, this is really cool. My dad used to race here, back in '88, '90. I was walking today and thinking about how cool it would be to get a win here. This is awesome."

Like many of the drivers who finished up front in the Crosby 100, Lutz faded into the field during the first half to save tires for the final push. However, he had a watchful eye on the driver he ended up racing for the win, Zane Zeiner, as he rode during the early stages.

"I know Zane's a smart guy," said Lutz. "Early on, I knew he was going to ride and save tire. That was my plan, and Zane's been doing this a while. I knew he was going to be quick at the end there, I think we made the fastest laps on lap 85. That just goes to show we were both saving. We just had a little bit better car than him, and we're standing here."

Zeiner was as far back as 13th in the running order during the first half, but took the lead on lap 79 when he began his charge to the front. He led five laps before Lutz took control.

"I was starting to get a little nervous, I didn't want to go back that far," said Zeiner. "I was trying to save as much as I could until I felt it was time to go to the front there. It's short-track racing, we were bumping and banging with a couple of guys out there. I know they're a little upset with me. I thought, overall, it was a fun night.

"Congrats to Jake up here, he drove a great race and got me on that restart. I just got a little too free there late. If I was out front, he might have had a harder time. I wasn't going to make it easy for him, but congrats to those guys."

Mike Leaty started on the pole for the 100-lap event, but also managed his tire wear before rounding out the podium with a third-place finish.

"I drew the pole and honestly, I never draw the pole," said Leaty. "Here, you want to save your tires. I let the young guys go and burn their stuff up, and we passed them all about halfway. I saw Jake and Zane were really, really good, so I was turning up the wick to see if I could stay with them and I couldn't. Third was a really good run for us. We've been building this team and getting better every single time out."

Andy Jankowiak finished fourth, with Austin Beers completing the top five.

The Race of Champions Modified Series will be back in action next Friday, August 2 at Spencer Speedway with the Whittake Ford F-50. Fans can watch the event live on RacingAmerica.TV.

Crosby's 100 Unofficial Results