Black Kat Klassic Bad Luck Strikes Rodrigues, Warren Snatches Win

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Myrtle Beach, SC – October 24, 2017… Stoneham, MA racer Nelson Rodrigues was so close to victory that he could taste the winner’s circle cider. But with two laps to go, bad luck struck in the Supermodified Ultimate Pavement Racing Series, (SUPRS), Black Kat Klassic Tuesday at Myrtle Beach Speedway. Rob Warren pounced as Rodrigues spun wildly down the front stretch taking the lead then holding off Keith Powell and Bob Gangwer for a two lap shootout.

Rob Warren drove from the back and held on for a 2-lap shootout for the Black Kat Klassic win.

“I’m hot n sweaty, that was a hot and crazy race,” Warren said. “If could I race every race, having battles like that, I’d be happy to finish eighth if I could race like I did with Bob and Nelson and Keith. It was awesome, what a great race.”

Not Easy for Warren

Warren came from the back of the pack and after getting by Keith Powell moved up to Bob Gangwer for a cat fight as he worked to get into second place. Side by side, with their cars bouncing over the bumps and sometimes nearly colliding, Warren and Gangwer fought it out while Powell reeled them back in.

As they came up to put a lap on Kevin Timmins, Warren used Timmins as a perfect pick and blocked Gangwer in which also allowed Powell to slide by for third. Warren set his sights on leader Nelson Rodrigues and caught him with 20 laps to go.

Methodically stalking Rodrigues like a big cat in the jungle, the leader finally gave in to the pressure and looped the car off turn four with Warren narrowly escaping disaster himself. The eventual winner said “The track is tight, its narrow.”

Can’t Keep a Cool Cat Down

As happy as Rob Warren was to win, Nelson Rodrigues was nearly as satisfied with his fourth place finish, even after losing the race when he spun with just two laps to go. Rodrigues had held Warren at bay for a some time until, as he said, “I think I just wore out my tire.” With the win so close in sight, he could have easily been angry with the outcome but stated, “SUPRS is the place to race.”

Powell Happy with Second

The defending race winner may have wanted to be conservative but his race was anything but, battling throughout the race and having a shot to be the first back to back winner of the Black Kat Klassic. “I had to be a little more aggressive on the get-go than I wanted to be,” said third place finisher.

“I’m pretty happy with second,” he stated. “I couldn’t bring home the trophy but congrats to Rob he ran a great race. “Thanks to Icings on Top, 1^st to Finish Race Servers and BreezeGraphics.com for all the work they do.”

Week Off Before Paying Tribute

SUPRS is taking next week off for family time and server maintenance, but returns to action and to honor the men and women who have served in the United States Armed Forces. The Veterans Day Special on November 7 takes place at Levi Signature Speedway. It’s the first of three races in a row in Tennessee, and the Veterans Day Special is highlighted by a 75 lap rFactor supermodified feature.

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