Noftsker becomes Final Winner at MRL Racing
In what could be described as a fantastic showcase of super-speedway racing, the Retirement Race for MRL Racing was run this past Friday at the Talladega SuperSpeedway. With twenty-eight of the top drivers from across the sim community creating many well choreographed two-and-three wide moves, the goal to grab the final checkered flag in MRL Racing history was a tall task. In the end, Tim Noftsker took his #088 Pabst Blue Ribbon Chevrolet Impala from the rear of the field to the top of the board after the 54-lap event!
With an early caution followed by a long run and green flag pit stops, a late yellow would set up a restart on lap forty-nine. Noftsker led Ron Larkin Jr., Superspeedway Champ Justin Wilson and youngsters Austin Penney and Paul McCollum to the green flag and as they got up to speed would be joined by David Cannon and Rob Larkin, making it a seven car lead draft. Wilson would make his move two laps later as he positioned his #6 car to the outside of Ron Jr. and had Penney, McCollum and Cannon in tow. A wreck on that lap involving Bobby Robinson and Chris Pence brought out a yellow and a half lap dash to the finish. Wilson pulled even with Noftsker as they hit corner three but with Ron Jr. on his bumper, Noftsker got a great run off the fourth corner and held it through the tri-oval to take the win.
Wilson was determined to get the win as he side-drafted with Noftsker and Ron Jr. but fell to third in the final running order. Rob Larkin came home in fourth with David Cannon rounding out the top five. Four yellow flags slowed the event which took just over one hour, three minutes to complete. Nine drivers swapped the lead sixteen times with Noftsker leading the most circuits (eighteen laps led).
Lots of credit needs to go to Ron Larkin Sr. and Mikey Larkin for putting together a great league for drivers of this simulation could go and race. Many big names have called MRL Racing home over the years and we have been privileged to call many races for the Larkins. We tip our caps to you gentlemen.
Until next time, keep the hammer down and we’ll see you at the track!
