WATKINS GLEN, N.Y. — Not bad for a first time winner.
After setting quick time in practice and earning his second career pole, Max McLaughlin led every lap of Friday’s NASCAR K&N Pro Series East race at Watkins Glen International before rain moved in, ending the race early.
That gave McLaughlin his first career series win in the the Great Outdoors RV Superstore 100.
“It’s awesome. I can’t believe it – I’ve never even raced on a road course before,” he said in disbelief. “We come here, fastest in practice–sweep the weekend. It’s beyond words, man. My dad won here, it’s always been my favorite track as a kid. To get my first NASCAR win here. This is priceless. Coming to 10 to go or whatever, I had tears in my eyes, ‘oh my god, this ain’t really happening, is it?’… I love this place, really looking forward to getting back here soon.”
With weather in the area, what would be the final restart was a bit hairy for McLaughlin. He briefly lost the lead to Tanner Gray, but quickly regained it before a lightning strike delayed the event.
Then the rain began to fall. After about 30 minutes, NASCAR deployed the track drying team in an attempt to go back racing. But shortly thereafter, the rain picked back up, forcing NASCAR to call the event six laps before the full distance.
The win was Hattori Racing Enterprises’ second consecutive in the event, as Brett Moffitt earned the checkered flag last season in this very car. The year prior, Ryan Truex led 26 laps from the pole before being sidelined due to an accident.
Chase Cabre finished in second, with championship points leader Sam Mayer in third, Ty Gibbs in fourth and Ruben Garcia, Jr. in fifth.
Dylan Murry, Dawsonville, Georgia’s Spencer Davis, Dale Quarterley, Derek Kraus and Colin Garrett rounded out the top 10.
The next K&N Pro Series East event, the Bush’s Beans 150, will take place in two weeks on Thursday, August 15 at Bristol Motor Speedway.
NASCAR K&N Pro Series East Series
Watkins Glen International – Watkins Glen, NY
Great Outdoors RV Superstore 100 – August 2, 2019 at
1. Max McLaughlin
2. Chase Cabre
3. Sam Mayer
4. Ty Gibbs
5. Ruben Garcia, Jr.
6. Dylan Murry
7. Dale Quarterley
8. Spencer Davis
9. Derek Kraus
10. Colin Garrett
11. Tanner Gray
12. Riley Herbst
13. Bill Hoff
14. Brandon Jones
15. John Wood
16. Robert Pawlowski
17. Travis Milburn
http://accesswdun.com/article/2019/8/819499/mclaughlin-claims-first-nknps-east-win-at-watkins-glen