Win at Berlin Raceway
Grant Enfinger Dominates at Berlin Raceway
Enfinger Gives GMS Racing First ARCA Racing Series Win
Grant Enfinger and GMS Racing called for a simple strategy Saturday at Berlin (Mich.) Raceway: Start on the front row, stay out front, and win the race with the strongest car. Enfinger delivered on the strategy, performing admirably on every lap, dusting the rest of the field at the respected short track in Marne, Michigan, to pull away and win the Federated Auto Parts 200. The victory was Enfinger’s fifth in 14 ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards starts this season. Enfinger, who led 181 of 200 laps, earned the organization its first victory in 58 ARCA Racing Series starts. Enfinger and the No. 90 Motor Honey/Casite, Allegiant Travel Chevrolet team had a strong Chevrolet Saturday, qualifying second at the 0.438-mile track. The Fairhope, Ala., native was able to take the lead before the 26-car field made it to the backstretch on the first lap. The 29-year-old commanded that lead for the next 56 circuits, even when battling lapped traffic. When the caution fell on Lap 54, Enfinger came down to visit his No. 90 GMS Racing team on Lap 56 for two tires and fuel. Restarting in the second position, Enfinger returned to first by Lap 61. Later, when being challenged for the lead, the Ryan “Pickle” London-led team chose not to pit during the Lap 88 caution to hold position. Enfinger began to battle tight handling conditions, and slipped to fourth position on Lap 122 as the caution flag flew. However, London was able to remedy this during the Lap 125 pit stop when he called for four tires, fuel and an adjustment. The quick work by the Motor Honey/Casite, Allegiant Travel pit crew paid off: Enfinger moved up to second-place for the restart, and by Lap 128, Enfinger had again wheeled his blue and orange machine back to the front of the field. Enfinger held off all opposition and earned his first victory with GMS Racing after just his third start with the team. This was also crew chief London’s first race win as a crew chief. Enfinger earned his 12th top-10 of the season at Berlin, and remained second in the driver point standings, 25 points behind first-place. The team goes to the Illinois State Fairgrounds on August 17 for the first of two dirt track races of the season.
Start – 2 Finish – 1 Laps Led – 181
Grant Enfinger Quote:
“This win is huge for so many reasons. This GMS Racing pit crew worked hard tonight and gave me a great pit stop. We came in fourth and came out challenging for the lead. They just did a great job in the pits. My spotter and teammate, Joey Coulter, did a great job getting me through some lapped traffic and changing my lines a couple times. I’m so happy for everyone on this No. 90 Motor Honey/Casite, Allegiant Travel Chevrolet team. Things just couldn’t have come together better. This whole team just pulled together tonight. GMS Racing did all of the right things.”