Anderson Outduels Grill for Second Straight SSS Win
KINSTON, Ala. — Cole Anderson hails from Northfield, Minnesota, but he is right at home in Alabama.
Anderson outdueled Deep South legend Augie Grill over the last 40 laps to claim the win in the Diamondback 125 at South Alabama Speedway. The win is Anderson’s second in a row, and completes a mid-summer sweep of the Southern Super Series presented by Sunoco events held in the Yellowhammer State.
On a restart with 40 laps to go, Anderson and Grill started side by side and stayed that way for eight laps. Lap after lap, Grill was glued to the bottom and Anderson worked the high lane. Ultimately Grill won the battle, but Anderson was setting up to win the war.
“Anthony (Campi, Anderson’s crew chief) told me to back my corner’s up and widen out the entry, and that helped a lot,” Anderson said. “I just backed off and let him go, because I didn’t think I could make it happen on the outside.”
With just 13 laps to go, Anderson made it happen with one final charge for the win with a bold move in turn three. The car stuck and Anderson cruised the rest of the race to secure his second Southern Super Series win in a row.
“The last couple of weeks have been pretty amazing,” Anderson said. “We have had a lot of success lately and hopefully we can keep it going. I am already looking forward to the next race at Pensacola.”
Grill dominated the event, leading more than 80 of the racer’s 125 laps, but ultimately was forced to settle for second.
However, Grill wasn’t upset. He was just happy to be running up front, like he is accustomed.
“He (Anderson) was just a little bit better than me at the end, and I couldn’t keep him behind me,” Grill said. “It’s just all about keeping up with the Jones’. When you don’t race every week, it’s hard to keep up with the guys that do. We are going to race a little more the next few months, and will have more runs like this one tonight.”
Anderson felt he had unfinished business with South Alabama Speedway following a 13th place showing in The Rattler back in March.
With a trophy and checkered flag in hand on Saturday, he said redemption had been achieved.
“I feel like we just kind of missed it at The Rattler,” said Anderson. “We came here Thursday and tested. We practice all day Friday and were able to get the job done. It feels really great to get a win here at South Alabama.”
Stephen Nasse finished third after starting 13th. Kenzie Ruston came home fourth and Kyle Plott rounded out the top five.
The Southern Super Series returns to action July 22 for a Friday night showdown under the lights at Five Flags Speedway in Pensacola, Florida.
For more information on the Southern Super Series presented by Sunoco,visitwww.southernsuperseries.com. Follow the SSS on Twitter at @SoSuperSeries and like “Southern Super Series” on Facebook.
Southern Super Series Diamondback 150 Results:
1 97 Cole Anderson
2 112 Augie Grill
3 51 Stephen Nasse
4 98 Kenzie Ruston
5 4 Kyle Plott
6 2W Donnie Wilson
7 14 Chris Davidson
8 26 Chandler Smith
9 66 Korey Ruble
10 47 Allen Karnes
11 71 Johnny Brazier
12 47 Chris Fontaine
13 H2 Bret Holmes
14 99 Casey Smith
Sources:51 Sports