Race 23: Homestead-Miami Speedway (18Aug17)

[jeromef1]

 

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Race Length: 134 Laps (Stage 1 - 35 Laps... Stage 2 - 99 Laps)
Race Name in Game: Ford EcoBoost 400

 

[AaronWebb85]

Final race of season 2. It's been a great one with an exciting championship battle that is coming down to the last race. I want to thank all of the drivers who helped make this series a lot of fun to race in.

I will be handing the reins over to Hootius for season 3, and as you all know it's in great hands. I'll still be very involved with PRL so if you ever need anything let me know. Don't forget about all the other championships on offer by PRL, a lot to do here!

See you guys Friday night for the last time in a stock car!

 

[Hootius]

**Pre-Race Interview**

1. Ending our season the Nascar way, with Homestead. It's the only traditional shaped oval of the 1.5 mile tracks. How do you like this track?

2. This is been one of the longest (if not thee longest) seasons overall in the PRL as a whole. How did you like it compared to the 10 race seasons we will going back to in Heat 2?

3. Looking back on this season, what part of your driving do you want to improve on come Heat 2?

 

[Meattyloaf]

1. Its an alright track not my best but definitely not my worst. Hoping that I can get a decent finish, hoping for a top 10 or better.

2. Shorten it!!! We have had only 10-12 drivers that have been able to participate in the majority of races and we have had so many come and go. I feel the ten race season will keep people around and keep the points somewhat close.

3. Corner entry has been my weak point as of late. I definitely need to work on that and I need to be not more aggressive but more consistent with on track performance and with setup builds. Honestly, because of my issues with setup, corner entry and lack of team mates I feel I have only really been competitive on 4 or 5 races and two of those were restrictor plate tracks.

 

[XSYSE]

1.  I feel it's a pretty forgiving track, and fun to race on.

2.  The number of races helped me out but getting that rookie season done,  I think 10 races will be plenty.

3. Setups would help a lot...2 of my 4 3rd place finishes were because I was handed a good setup.  I need to also be more consistent with laps, I spend way to much time watching intervals during the race.

 

[Klutchion1]

1. I feel strong at Homestead. Last time we raced here I didn't really have a good setup and went with 2 tires at the end of the race and started to dirt track every corner from there on.

2. I thought this season was very competitive in the beginning and then just went downwards because of the game. I would maybe like to see 12-13 races next season.

3. I think learning how to make a setup better. I have always said I am the driver not the setup builder. I was Fortunate to have help with setups every week from my team and also the Chevy boys. My main goal was to go in the season with the right mindset and win my first ever race. Not only my first ever race but to be one of the youngest winners in the PRL. I had such a blast racing with Aaron and I will truly miss racing with him in stock cars but we sure will have some good racing in INDY Car.

 

[Hootius]

1. Ending our season the Nascar way, with Homestead. It's the only traditional shaped oval of the 1.5 mile tracks. How do you like this track?
I really enjoy Homestead. It is racy and not a 100% throttle track like the others. If you can hit the "progressive" bankings right, there are multiple lines here which is also awesome.

2. This is been one of the longest (if not thee longest) seasons overall in the PRL as a whole. How did you like it compared to the 10 race seasons we will going back to in Heat 2?
I can see the pros and cons of both. I like some of the more non popular tracks that would probably miss the cut in a shorter season. But from a leadership standpoint, the short season really does help with organizing, recruiting, and keeping the roster engaged to minimize driver turnover. Having to track 41 drivers worth of data in a spreadsheet sucks lol

3. Looking back on this season, what part of your driving do you want to improve on come Heat 2?
It's going to sound weird because I am the biggest complainer of other drivers about being too aggressive, but I feel I have room to hold my ground a little more. I feel like trying to be too nice on the track sometimes has cost me track position, or put me in a position to get caught up in someone's wreck, which then costs me some very valuable points since this is now 2 straight seasons of the championship coming down to the wire.

 

[AaronWebb85]

1. Ending our season the Nascar way, with Homestead. It's the only traditional shaped oval of the 1.5 mile tracks. How do you like this track?
Glad we are on a traditional track for the last race, I think it will provide some good racing.

2. This is been one of the longest (if not thee longest) seasons overall in the PRL as a whole. How did you like it compared to the 10 race seasons we will going back to in Heat 2?
I always prefer longer seasons due to the fact it favors those who consistently show up to race.

3. Looking back on this season, what part of your driving do you want to improve on come Heat 2?
I will only be driving things without fenders after this race... Baby Hoot is going to hate watching my streams!

 

[Hootius]

Q:4th
Dinfenitly was hitting faster laps in practice, but I'll always take a Top 5 starting spot.

R:1st
The race started off ok. Snagged 2nd in the stage, but it took a while to get the car to feel right, one of those weird lobby issues since the car felt different than when we were all practicing right before the race. Later in the face, Nick had that unfortunate DC while in 3rd, then CJ had that big spin, which gave me a nice 10+ sec lead. Heart sank when the caution came out to erase that lead. Lost 5 positions on that pit stop, which put me in a bad spot and ended getting spun with no caution. Did a short pit for 2 tires hoping maybe I could sneak into the Top 5 if the race stayed green. The caution came out again and caught me a lap down, but I took the wave around but had no shot at the win on those tires. When the final caution came out, I pitted and this time, the crew got me out first and the 3 cars in front me had older tires the last 6 laps. Took me a couple laps to get around Zeke and I caught a break when Beej got into CJ to slow them both down a little, which let me get around Beej and right on CJ's bumper for the last 2 laps for the 2nd week in a row. This time, I was able to pull it off. I knew CJ's tires were worn and his car was getting tight, so my only shot was a high-low dive exiting T2 when his car would start to push up. Luckily the my car stuck the move and it was a drag race down the back stretch. I was able to enter hard into 3 for the clear, and then bring her home to end the season on a high note.

Great battles all night CJ, was a blast.

War buddy, congrats on the trophy. Looking forward to making it come down to the last race again in Season 3

 

[Meattyloaf]

Q: 10
My fast laps keep getting killed by someone I'll leave unnamed so didn't have a chance to run one but could've definitely been in the top 7

R: 7
Had a quick car managed to fight for position. Only problem was that it was quick but only on one line and that line was a couple of feet from the wall so I ended tagging the wall a lot late in the runs, which definitely hurt my position on track. Car was great on the short run though so if we maybe had a 5 lap shot out at the end I could've seen myself battling for the win as I was able to stay and pass the guys up front. However, I would've most likely had a top 5 if it wasn't for me being forced up into the wall, but racing is racing and stuff happens. Anyways see everyone next season and have a great off-season

 

[Hootius]

American Nascar Heat PS4 Championship Season 2 Final Race and Championship Recap:

The final race of the season (and for Nascar Heat Evolution, as the next season will be raced on Heat 2) took place Friday night at Homestead. 

With many battles happening throughout the Top 7 in points ready to be played out this race, every bonus point would be critical. Qualifying was no exception.  Kyle Spencer (KDawgHonda777) snagged his 1st Pole of the season (3rd of his career), edging out his teammate Christopher Herring (CJHerring) by only .058 secs. Adam Zemke (Zeke_H30), Charles Sumner (Hootius), and Aaron Webb (AaronWebb85) rounded out the Top 5. The Top 7 qualifiers in this race were only separated by a mere .150 secs. As the points went, qualifying set up two stories for the night: 1) Kyle started the race 1 point behind Aaron in the battle for 4th in Points, so the bonus point for the Pole meant that Kyle and Aaron would be racing heads up in the race. 2) Due to the number of entries tonight, the championship was crowned as soon as times were set in qualifying. More on the champion to come.

The race for the Segment was interesting one. No one in the field could have made it the full 35 laps on fuel, but do you take just a splash early to make it, or do you pit early for fresher tires and race your way back? Well that was pretty much decided halfway through the segment when Charles, while running in 3rd place at that time, spun exiting Turn 4 and luckily right down pit road. That pretty much forced the hand of the rest of the leaders to pit within the next lap or 2 so Charles could not work the tire advantage. We had our first caution a lap before Stage finish, and that gave Christopher H. his 8th Segment win of the season (league best). Charles crossed the line in 2nd, limiting the amount of points Christopher H. could gain on him for 2nd Place in the Points battle (Charles had a 10 point lead entering the race).

After the Segment, we had 2 quick cautions, and then a long 53 lap green flag run. Unfortunately during that long run, we lost 2 very fast cars in Michael Caterino (vWardude) and Nick Michaud (NickCM12), whom dropped out of the race due to server disconnection (which also unfortunately bit Brian Mosser (BrianMosser88) and Rob Besaw (Xsyse) as well). Christopher H. and Charles were building a gap on the field at this time, along with Kyle who would have needed an extra pit stop though for fuel had it stayed green. Christopher H. had a solo spin which handed Charles a 10 second lead going into the final round of green flag pit stops, which in turn got wiped away as an accident happened on the entrance of pit road that brought out the yellow. Charles would fall back to 6th place due to a bad pit stop, and find himself in trouble going back to green as he was hit and spun in a solo manner which did not bring out the caution. Adam and Christopher Johnson (MeattyLoaf) would also have similar setbacks, leading to those 3 drivers short pitting to try to gain track position back if the race went green the rest of the way. The caution came out again, allowing all 3 drivers to get back on the lead lap (Adam as the Lucky Dog, Charles and Christopher J. taking the wave around and staying on old tires). As the field was jockeying for position, we saw the yellow flag wave one last time with 8 laps to go. Christopher H., Brad Williams (BeeJ2015) and Adam stayed out for the track position as the other drivers pitted in hopes of one last mad dash to the front. The first car with fresh tires was Charles, who would restart in 4th. It took 2 laps for Charles to get around Adam, but as that was happening, Brad would get into the back of Christopher H., which would slow the cars down some and allow Charles to close the gap. Charles got around Brad immediately and for the 2nd week in a row, set up a 2 lap duel between Christopher H. and Charles coming to the finish. Christopher H. was on older tires and was left with having to drive with his mirror to break up the faster speed Charles could carry on corner exit on fresher tires. On the last lap, Charles would work that to his advantage using the high line in Turn 1, then shooting to the bottom of Turn 2 as Christopher H.'s car slid up into the top lane. The drivers then had a drag race down the backstretch, with Charles in the preferred inside line with the fresher tires. Charles was able to drive into Turn 3 harder and cleared Christopher H. by time they reach Turn 4, and then drove down the front-stretch to claim his 4th career win, and secure 2nd place in the Championship over Christopher H. As that battle happened, the battle for 4th place in the points was settled in the last turn also. Aaron needed to beat Kyle by 3 positions to have sole claim of 4th place due to Kyle receiving 2 bonus points during the 1st Segment. As Aaron was in 5th and Kyle in 7th, Aaron made a last corner pass on Adam, which was then countered by Kyle getting around Christopher J. coming to the checkered flag. That 2 position gap meant both drivers tied in points, with Kyle owning the tie-breaker to his win at Atlanta early in the season. It was an incredible ending to the race, and the season, as almost every position on the track would swap hands on the very last lap.

The top 10 finishing order was: 
1st) Charles Sumner (Hootius) - 3rd Win of the Season, 4th overall
2nd) Christopher Herring (CJHerring) - 11th Top 5 of the Season 
3rd) Brad Williams (BeeJ2015) – 6th Top 5 of the Season
4th) Aaron Webb (AaronWebb85) – 6th Top 5 of the Season
5th) Adam Zemke (Zeke_H30) – 7th Top 5 of the Season
6th) Kyle Spencer (KDawgHonda777) – 14th Top 10 of the Season
7th) Christopher Johnson (MeattyLoaf) – 8th Top 10 of the Season
8th) Nick Michaud (NickCM12) – 9th Top 10 of the Season
9th) Michael Caterino (vWardude) – 20th Top 10 of the Season
10th) Brian Mosser (BrianMosser88) – 8th Top 10 of the Season

Big congratulations go out to Michael Caterino (vWardude) on his 1st PRL Championship. Due to the lead coming into Homestead and the number of drivers who showed up for the race, Michael clinched the Championship as soon as he started up his car. Charles Sumner (Hootius) was the runner up and finished the season off strong with a win and closed the gap down to 6 points. If you look at the Ave. Finish, Bonus Points earned, # of Disconnect DNF's and many other categories, Michael and Charles were pretty much identical for the 2nd season in a row. Christopher Herring (CJHerring) finished 16 points back in 3rd place, in a season which saw him win the most races in the league! As stated in the race recap, Kyle Spencer (KDawgHonda777) and Aaron Webb (AaronWebb85) finish tied in points, but with Kyle officially 4th due to the win tie-breaker.

The Team Championship was really just a battle of attrition over this marathon season. The team of Damn Kids, Get off my Lawn! (original members Michael Caterino (vWardude), Charles Sumner (Hootius),Aaron Webb (AaronWebb85), and in-season acquisition Mitchell Riggs (MitchMan009)) won the title by a big margin due to being the only team not to suffer sufficient turnover or attendance issues this season, getting points for 87 of a possible 92 races. 2nd in the team standings was Forward Byte, who's only remaining members were Christopher Herring (CJHerring) and Kyle Spencer (KDawgHonda777). In comparison, due to significant turnover, Forward Byte only received points for 70 of a possible 92 races. In Season 3, the league will be going down to 2 man teams over the 10 race season, which will make the Team Championship a nice and close battle.

Nascar Heat 2 will be released on September 12th. Keep a look out in the beginning of September for sign-ups of Season 3, which we will start that campaign off with a 10 race season using the Monster Energy Cup cars!

 

[Klutchion1]

Awesome recap!

 

[Hootius]

Awesome recap!

Well I might be pretty biased by the outcome, but I thought it was a pretty awesome finish and deserved a really solid recap We've had a ton of close finishes in this league, I'm just not sure how many true last-lap passes we've had for the win like that.

 

[nickmichaud]

S: 7th
Decent lap. Never been much of a qualifier. Competitive field with 9 guys quick enough to win.

F: 8th I think
Super loose setup in traffic to begin the race. 1 incident caused by me bouncing off the wall into Aaron and the second with myself not getting slowed when war was sideways. Made drastic changed under caution and worked my way up to 3rd running similar lap times as cj and hootius until the DC happened.

Very well core group of drivers we have, very excited for next season. In the 2 seasons I've never been in a points battle so the dedication will definitely be there this time to be able to compete for a title.

 

[jeromef1]

Good win Charles!

 

[Hootius]

Good win Charles!

This was a win for all of the management crew!!!   haha

And for those who haven't seen it, here is the video of the last 6 laps:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0dBoLhDdT3Y

 

[jeromef1]

Nice finish!