Gracias Gets First Win of 2022 at Michigan

Defending NSRA Beer Street Journal Grand National Series champion Jason Gracias got his first win of the season in this week's race at Michigan. He led the most laps with 24 and showed strong pace throughout the race. It was not a matter of if, but rather when Gracias would pick up a win as the defending champion had finished 2nd in two of his three starts this season coming into Michigan.

Jason Gracias and Adam Pettet battle in the closing laps at Michigan

Gracias started 8th and admitted in his post-race interview with WRN that Michigan was one of his worst tracks. It didn't stop him from continuing his positive momentum so far in the season. Adams Pettet was also once again a strong contender, finishing 2nd to Gracias but leading 19 laps in the race. Philip Scott led the first 11 laps of the race after starting on pole but would lose the lead and slip into the lower half of the top 5 for the majority of the race. Mike Tellier, Brock Whitehead, and Jason Schue would also lead laps in the 60-lap event, which saw seven lead changes.

Gracias took the lead from Pettet during the green flag pit cycle. Though Pettet put up a strong fight and at one point looked to have Gracias passed, the Total Nonstop Racing driver kept racing hard and eventually pulled out when Pettet's tires wore out. Lap traffic looked to play a role late but was skillfully managed by both drivers.

The series will head for Gateway next Thursday night. The short tracks thus far in the season (Rockingham and Iowa) have put on phenomenal racing from start to finish, so make sure to tune into WRN once again on June 2nd at 9 pm (eastern) for all of the NSRA Beer Street Journal Grand National Series action!