Kaz Grala Captures Win in 2nd Tour Start

NEWTON, NC — Fourteen-year old Kaz Grala became UARA’s youngest winner Saturday night at Hickory Motor Speedway in the Banjo Matthews Memorial 150. This was his first UARA career win and he held off a tough top five finishing group consisting of Brodie Kostecki, Garrett Jones, Garrett Campbell, and Sunoco Pole winner Travis Swaim. Charlie Long was the Comp Cams Engine Builder of the Race supplying the powerhouse under the hood of the Falcon Racing machine driven by Grala.Grala qualified third and maintained a spot within the top positions during the entire race. Kostecki drove by on lap 69 to take the lead away from Tilton’s Most Laps Led leader Travis Swaim. Kosteck drove the Driven Racing Oil Fastest Lap of the Race (15.720 sec.) and drove away from the field until Grala caught back up with him on lap 129. Young Kostecki overcame motor issues he found during practice. He drove from the back of the field to the front within the first 69 laps, racing on only 7-cylinders.Kostecki was awarded the Pigwire Electrifying Move of the Race for the night.

Circle Wheel /Xtreme Trophies and More Rookie of the Race winner Garrett Jones had his best career UARA finish of third. While battling with other veterans Garrett Jones raced clean and was awarded the FLUIDNE Cool Under Pressure Award.

Swaim celebrated his third Sunoco Pole of the season maintained the top position for the first half of the race. Cautions came early in the night with a four car pile-up in turn three. Brandon Jones was the recipient of left rear damage, but his crew was able to mend the no. 33 machine. Brandon Jones never quite recovered back to the top positions but drove a solid race with a 12th place finish. Brandon White also had some cosmetic damage but managed to get back on the track. Unfortunately White got caught up in another caution with Michael Lira that ended both of their nights early. Local drivers Grant Wimbish and Jason Cochran also got caught up in the incident. Wimbish’s damage took him out of the race and Cochran’s brush with the wall made his night go from good to bad.  Cochran was on top of the charts for practice on Friday and was looking forward to having a good UARA debut.

Rookie Dylan Hall had a solid eighth place finish and battled up as far as the top five during the race. Rookie Chandler LeVan was making his way up through the field fast until Jason Cochran spun in front of the leader pack during lap 83. LeVan was running third and decided to run on the high side to avoid contact. Shortly after that his car started to run hot and he parked it for the night. He was awarded the ARBodies Hard Luck Award. for having to end what was appeard to be a very good finish for Levan.

The Bassett Brothers had another solid night of racing. Ronnie Jr. qualified 9th and finished 7th. Dillon was once again the recipient of the Holley Performer award for gaining 11 positions during the Banjo Matthews Memorial 150. The two brothers found each other on the track early, exchanging positions and paint.

The UARA-STARS had honorary guest at the Banjo Matthews Memorial that signed autographs during the pit party. Daytona Winner Marvin Panch, former driver Ronnie Silvers, Alabama Gang’s Donnie Allison, NASCAR standout Cale Gale, and Reality-Star ‘Cowboy’ Joe Cortez.

The next event for the UARA-STARS is three weeks away at Tri-County Motor Speedway on July 12th.

To find out more information on their favorite UARA-STARS drivers, fans can follow the series on Twitter @uarastarsseries, and are encouraged to “like” them on Facebook under the United Auto Racing Association.

Watch the race replay from MotorsportsBroadcasting.com by clicking here.

Banjo Matthews Memorial 150  Results:

1. 3 Kaz Grala
2. 40 Brodie Kostecki
3. 88 Garrett Jones
4. 12 Garrett Campbell
5. 28 Travis Swaim
6. 44 Dillon Bassett
7. 04 Ronnie Bassett
8. 4 Dylan Hall
9. 59 Coleman Pressley
10. 35 Devin Jones
11. 7 Anderson Bowen
12. 33 Brandon Jones
13. 27 Lee Tissot
14. 31 Thomas Beane
15. 17 Travis Byrd
16. 07 Tyler Church
17. 22 Dan Moore
18. 6 Will Gallaher
19. 11 Dillon Houser
20. 81 Chandler LeVan
21. 48 Jason Cochran
22. 99 Brandon White
23. 57 Michael Lira
24. 51 Grant Wimbish
25. 19 Kyle Moon

Sources: UARA-STARS PR