Hunter Gets First Career Win in an Amazing Race at Atlanta

Nobody knew exactly what to expect coming into the NSRA Beer Street Journal Grand National Series' first trip to the newly repaved Atlanta Motor Speedway. What race fans were treated to was an incredible race that saw side-by-side racing all the way through, a lot of lead changes, and Simbox Racing's Bryce Hunter picking up his first career win.

Bryce Hunter (middle) drag races Justin White (left) and Trey Whitehead (right) to the line to win at Atlanta

Bryce Hunter came into the race at Atlanta with one top 5 finish and a handful of top ten finishes. A great season that hadn't resulted yet in a breakout run or laps led, but the Simbox Racing number 49 machine came to race late, with Hunter getting to the lead in time for a Beer Street Journal last call. Simbox Racing teammate Justin White was there with Hunter, working with him some at the start of the final restart, allowing Hunter to hold his lead and beat White and Trey Whitehead to the line to pick up his first win in the National Sim Racing Association.

The race saw and incredible 32 lead changes and 11 different drivers in the 20 car field lead laps. Christopher Darling led the most, with an amazing 42 laps led of the 103 completed in the race. Race winner Bryce Hunter led 8 laps, along with Trey Whitehead, Ben Mashburn, Mike Tellier, Sam Kolhaas, Ira Kolhaas, Noah Owens, Philip Scott, Ryan Sizemore, and Brock Whitehead all leading laps during the race, with Sam Kohlaas being the only to lead just one.

The race saw 4 cautions, which saw many drivers running at the front of the field suffer significant damage, though most seemed to be able to continue racing at the pace of the leaders. Of those involved included Philip Scott, who was involved in several incidents throughout the race. Despite that, however, Scott was able to take advantage of the absence of points leader Adam Pettet to take the points lead, the first time since after the 2nd race of the season at Homestead Pettet has not held the points lead.

With the regular season coming to a close, the points picture is going to start to get much more competitive and dramatic, especially with the playoffs looming just four races away. The series has an off week next Thursday, but will return on Thursday, August 4th at Southern National. You won't want to miss the action the series has in store for the second half of the season, so make sure to keep tuning in to the World Racing Network Thursdays at 9 pm (est) for all the Beer Street Journal Grand National Series action!