Dominating Performance in The Hickory Hustle Ends When Keith Powell Flips-Rob Warren Deemed Winner
October 24, 2018 – Hickory, NC …Keith Powell was well on his way to pulling off his second Supermodified Ultimate Pavement Racing Series, (SUPRS), North Carolina Swing Championship in a row, but saw his domination of the Hickory Hustle turn to disaster when he caught a wheel and flipped with two laps to go Thursday at Hickory Motor Speedway.
Powell, who was attempting to become the third driver to win the North Carolina Swing more than once, and the first back to back NC Swing Champ since Myles Maxon in 2009-10, led 42 of the 75 laps, set the fastest lap of the race and was in front of second place running Rob Warren by over four seconds when he crashed while lapping Carl Becker. Even though he was able to continue when the yellow flag did not come out, and also kept the lead and crossed the finish line first, SUPRS officials determined that Powell had to be disqualified according to series rules. The flip, and subsequent disqualification of Powell, handed Warren his third North Carolina Swing Championship by default.
Warren a Shocked Winner
Rob Warren now joins Maxon as a three-time recipient of the North Carolina Swing crown, and remains the only driver other than Maxon to have won the Swing more than once. The reigning SUPRS Gold Crest Wing Supermodified Champion was shocked and nearly speechless when told he had become the North Carolina Swing Champion for 2019. “I feel horrible for Keith,” he said. “I don’t know what else to say, that was his race.”
“Thanks to SUPRS for putting this on, Icings on Top, Hairbag Studios, BreezeGraphics.com and all the fans for watching. This was a tough swing with a lot of great racing. I’m shocked.”
Warren’s North Carolina Swing Championship was worth 10 SUPRS Gold Crest Wing Championship bonus points and helps him pad his points lead to 24 over Powell. Throughout the first four races of the Swing, Warren had three second place finishes, a win and a fourth.
Black Kat Klassic Next
After just a short turn-around from the North Carolina Swing, the Black Kat Klassic crosses the SUPRS racers paths on October 29, 2019. This race at Myrtle Beach Speedway has a full format of Time Trials, Crack the Whip, Heat Races, and a spine tingling 50 lap feature. Practice begins at 8:00pm with the first race set to start at 9:05pm.
Kat Scratch Fever
Supermodified and sim racing fans alike can view timing, scoring, track telemetry and live streaming video of the Black Kat Klassic with SUPRS LIVE! To keep up with your favorite SUPRS racer in an instant just point your browser to www.SUPRS.net/site/live.
Be Socially Acceptable
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SUPRS RACE RESULTS:
16th Annual North Carolina Swing-The Hickory Hustle
- Race 8 of 43
- October 24, 2019
- SUPRS rFactor W v7.3 mod
- Hickory Motor Speedway
- 75 Laps
Feature-75 Laps (showing car number, driver, name, bonus, fastest lap, distance behind winner)
- 35-Rob Warren; P7 / 10.864 / +1 Lap
- 55-Steve Callahan; * / P2 / 10.864 / +4 seconds
- 25-Bob Gangwer; P1 / 10.883 / +6 seconds
- 22-Zach Sears; P3 / 11.003 / +1 Lap
- 7-Nelson Rodrigues; P8 / 11.113 / +2 Laps
- 42-Carl Becker P6 / 11.211 / +3 Laps
- 41-Keith Powell; * / ** / ! / P5 / 10.788 / DQ – Flip
- 3-Brad Keysor; DNS
Time of Race: 13:50.198
- * Denotes Lap Led
- ** Denotes Most Laps Led
- ! Denotes Fastest Lap of Race
