JustRacin' headed to the midwest to take on the challenge of Chicagoland Speedway. Steve Ritter took the pole and led the field to the green flag. Del Mears started on the outside and got a good run through turn one to take the lead. Brian Sponseller chased him down in the early laps and gained his valuable bonus points for leading before points leader Justin Thomas brought out the first caution on lap 17.
The next run was the longest green run of the rest and Mears stretched out an impressive lead. Just as drivers and crews were preparing to hit pit road the caution would fly for the second time. As we all know, cautions breed cautions and the restart here was no exception. Several drivers spun their tires leading to a pile up into turn one.
As the race wound down several different pit strategies began to play out. On a late race caution leader Mears hit pit road while most of the other leaders stayed out, relegating Mears to ninth. But, the strength of Mears' truck was undeniable and he re-took the lead on the white flag lap, cruising to his first victory of the Summer Season. Mears was followed by Scott Latimer, Kenny Smith, Tim Wyels and Andrew Klickner.
Justin Thomas' early exit from the race dropped him from first to second in the standings. He now trails Sponseller by 35. Steve Ritter remains steady in third with Scott Latimer jumping two spots to fourth and Tim Wyels moved up three spots to fifth.
Up next for JRL is Homestead-Miami Speedway.
JRL Chicagoland Summer Season July 15th, 2010 from Brian Sponseller on Vimeo.
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