Top: Casey Lester, Carson Crompton Flop: Aaron's Mom, Bruce Wilkinson
Post Race:
DiCario Wins 2014 AMP Energy Racing Series Title
Mack DiCario was very surprised he won the title after hearing it from his crew, however was overjoyed when he slid his ally Regal into the winners circle.
"There's too many people to thank, man. I can't even begin to start. We made it, and that's all I have to say about that right now, I'm speechless."
When asked about the race, DiCario explained, "I was not happy with all the wrecking out there, especially David Lee Bibson. I mean, does he want the attention of ruining the championship battle even more or what? Tried to wreck me I don't even know how many times today. But I really feel for Nate [Smith] right now, that's not how this championship should have ended. I would much rather have preferred to battle it out on the track. But s*** happens I guess and of course we'll take it as it is. I'm so proud of everyone on this race team. It's unbelievable, like I said, I'm speechless."
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Lester wins final race of season, can't snatch title from claws of defeat
With only a handful of laps remaining in the 2014 AERS season, after an eventful day of racing in Saskatchewan which saw Nate Smith's collapse following a bulletproof season, it proved to be an all too opportunistic position for Mack DiCario to be in; just hover around the Top 10 in order to secure the 2014 AMP Energy Racing Series championship. Although a third championship protagonist had already been defeated, he was not aware until roughly 30 minutes after the race had ended.
This third driver ended up beating out Nate Smith's teammate for the victory, to add insult to injury.
Locked in a spirited battle with Carson Crompton in the closing stages of the Saskatchewan 300, Casey Lester found himself in 2nd place on Lap 196, four laps remaining, when he decided to make his move underneath the #84 through Turns 3 and 4, using the lapped car of Wendy Fisher to simplify his maneuver. Casey Anderson, Crompton's teammate, did not get past the #11 cleanly and spun Fisher out, bringing out the yellow flag to end the race. However, the two leaders crossed te line before the caution flew, so the two would have to duel back around to determine which one would end up the hero and which would end up the goat. Lester kept Crompton fully behind him until the final two corners where Crompton dove under the 87 and sparked a duel to the line which was difficult to decipher from the naked eye. However, the Aflac Ford narrowly edged Crompton to score the victory under yellow flag conditions. Lester had stated that he "did not want to make his move too early" as he had observed previous drivers being shuffled out of the lead and mired back into traffic. So he had intended to pass coming to 3 to go, anticipating that Crompton would pass him back and then Lester would retake the lead on the white flag and hold it from there. The final two passes he anticipated didn't happen.
Lester pulled into the winner's circle following burnouts, climbed out of his car and received a shower of Gatorade and beer as he returned the favor to his crew with a few Gatorade bottles as well. He then jumped into his crew's arms, dubbed a mosh pit in motorsports, and received the following interview.
I: What a run by this young man! Well, Casey, go back... all the way to 2011. You're sitting inside of a crumpled-up mess of a racecar and the world is unsure if you'll ever race again in your life. Would you have ever thought, from that position, that you'd come back the next season as an AERS championship contender?
C: No, man. This is unbelievable! *gets sprayed with further beverages* Uh... we- we really never thought that this year would go as well as it did. And, uh... I'm really at a loss. I'm just tired. WOO! Gotta wake up, get moving! But, uh, I can't be any prouder of this team. These guys put their, 110% heart and soul into this series and, uh, it's such an honor to be their driver. Y'know, we might- I may be wrong on this- MIGHT... just have a championship also, but I haven't heard yet and I'm not overly worried at the moment 'cause even if we didn't get it, I... have so much faith in these guys that we're capable of getting one years down the road from now. This is just unbelievable, the way this team has come back from so much... through the past year or so... losing Mikael.. uh, I really do think we've got the championship in hand. I heard Nate was out; not too sure on Mack, but, uh, we did everything we needed to do. Got out front late, led some laps... and came home number one, baby! WOO!
I: You told the media at Bristol [that] you didn't deserve the title; you'd seemed to lose all hope on this season. When exactly was the turning point that's gotten your hopes to where they are now?
C: I-
I: 'Cause you're a heck of a lot happier now than back then!
C: Yeah, man, uh... I'm outta breath right now... but I'd say around the middle part of this race. I heard about Nate... uh, geting wrecked and all that. By the way, I really hope everyone was alright out there. Heard it was bad with the 10 car- Hensler, but, uh, it's just been such... a bipolar-ish coule o' races... with how hit-or-miss we've been [in] this second half. We, uh, we were in a slump and my confidence was just... in the gutter, y'know, but this crew, these guys- THESE GUYS, okay, never gave up on me, never let me give up on me, never let anything stand in our way and that's what's gotten us this far. I credit those guys for... pretty much all we've accomplished this year and I can't thank 'em enough.
I: Mack DiCario finished 9th, so it looks like your dream might fall just a bit short, but did you think you at least got by Nate with his crash?
C: Uh, I thought we coulda gotten past the both of 'em... to be honest- *wipes face with towel* I was thinking we coulda won the whole damn thing... It really hasn't set in yet, but these guys have pumped me up so much... this win feels like a title right now. I really don't know that I've lost yet. I'm just saying it right now, but, uh, really, all that's on my mind is celebrating this win with this crew that's pushed me... all the way to it. From a hospital bed to a bronze medal, they've been here and they've got all of my thanks I can give.
I: Casey Lester finishes the 2014 season with a series-leading 3 victories in his first full-time season.
Ultimately, DiCario beat Smith by 20 points for the championship with Lester a hefty 36 behind, but there's not much doubt in the garage that we could likely see these three drivers and potentially a few more in contention for the title around this time next year.
Juveno, Brewer get slight damage, bring cars home in one piece
Barry Juveno capped off his average rookie season with a 10th-place finish after starting the race from 37th. He wwas involved in a minor accident on Lap 63, but it was a microscopic tap from the spinning 08 of Ricardo Blanco and he continued on without a problem.
"Car didn't run as good as it shoulda." said the 6'7", former OSU football RE. "I gots a buncha idiots drivin' 'round me an' I'm swervin' errywhere ta miss wrecks dey causin'. I ain't gon' do too well bein' busy mmissin' yellows all damn day. I ain't really gon' miss dis team since I's always too far in da back ta miss all da stupid s**t, so I'mma hope fo' someone ta gimme a ride next year dat can get me more Top 10's den what I got here."
Bjorn Brewer, one of Renesse Racing's development drivers, could be in the AERS full-time by 2016 depending on how his full-time efforts in the AAPT go next season. He returned to the team's one-off entry, the 97, and qualified 6th, but was caught up in the Lap 63 incident with Juveno, collecting a larger chunk than the former. He fell off the pace, finishing 3 laps down in 25th, but kept his hopes up heading into 2015.
"We['ve] got a bit of work to do in repairing the damage to this car in case I bring this car back sometime next year, but y'all gotta give credit to the team for backin' me so much through the past few months and races we['ve] run. These guys are gonna be with me all of next season in the second tier and I couldn't be more excited to represent one o' the biggest teams in AARO.
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Subject: Re: 2014 Race 19 - Saskatchewan 300 Sat Aug 23, 2014 3:27 pm
Spoiler:
Smith loses championship
Nathan Smith was furious with Bruce Wilkinson and especially Brian Hensler.
"I swear I'm beginning to think I'm the only driver who knows how to use both pedals. Idiots like them and too many others in this series are going to get themselves killed. To be honest, they'll be lucky to get that far, if I see them between now and Livonia they're done for."
Smith continued to be irate, and far out of his typical demeanor in the questions he received after being released from infield care center.
PR: "DiCario also has also been in an accident, do you think you can still win the title?"
"Hensler better hope so. If I do, I'm gonna sound like a real jackass when this is replayed all offseason. I'd much rather prove my worth on track though."
The race ended up being an attrition-fest, with only 12 cars finishing on the lead lap. The 96 was one of them, as he ended up in 9th, defeating Smith by 20 points in the 2014 championship. Derek Anist approached Smith after talking to DiCario. Smith answered all the questions without being asked:
"Yes, I'm fucking pissed at the 10 and 32. Yes, I lost the championship. Yes, I think I deserved to win. Yes, it's bullshit that the 96 nearly removed the hood and still managed 9th. Yes, he's a lucky asshole that 3 cars got a penalty that put 2 of them a lap down, clinching it for him 1/3 of the way through the race. Yes, I'm happy the 84 and 38 finished on the podium. And yes, I still don't lik the driver of the 87. When will I get some luck? I'll be back next season and will not back down. Apparently patience and skill isn't what wins races. It's luck, blind aggression, and equipment. I'll definitely have the third. I'll stop anyone who gets in my why. And luck. Well, that's not up to me...
Crompton was equally angry...
"Race ends because 2 idiots, while 2 people who can actually drive have to battle it out at 55 miles an hour, and can't pass. I deserved that win. And McKinley. And Livonia. So much bullshit is the only reason I couldn't have won the championship. I feel so bad for Nate, though..."
As usual, Casey Anderson kept it short and sweet...
"We had a great run today. I can't wait for next season wherever I'm driving."