Shane Van Gisbergen has made it two-from-two in the second round of the Racing Local Eseries as a lapped-car accident eliminated erstwhile leader Liam Lawson seven laps from the chequered flag.
Transitioning from the high-speed, high-downforce prototypes of race one to virtual Super Saloons for race two, 2019 Toyota Racing Series Champion Liam Lawson was set to claim his maiden race victory but came unstuck as he collided with a lapped car late in the race.
Lawson’s early lead was made easier when van Gisbergen tagged the wall on lap 15, relinquishing a 1.7s margin.
But the 0.5 mile high-banked oval of Eldora Speedway in Ohio become quickly became clogged with lapped traffic as the race wore into its 30-lap distance.
Both Van Gisbergen and Lawson would find dramas of their own but it ultimately it was Lawson who would fear off worse as he was compelled to retire on lap 23.
Jaden Ransely would join Lawson in the pitlane one-lap later when he crashed from 9th place.
NZ speedway regular Christian Hermansen was another key runner to burry himself in the concrete in the race’s later half. But despite all the incidents the race remained green for all 30-laps.
Matthew Payne would follow Van Gisbergen home in a strong finish. The KZ2 national karting champion worked his way through the field from a lowly qualifying position to challenge with the leaders for most of the race.
Sam Waddell, Aaron Humble and Scott McLaughlin rounded out the top five.
The venues and cars for next Friday’s event will be revealed early next week.