Kenny and Tellier Both Get Wins in Daytona Double-Header

The TNR Grand National Series sponsored by Schue Lawn Service had a double-header Monday night at Daytona International Raceway. The night featured two-separate points paying races won by two different drivers. Robert Kenny was victorious in the first race of the night while it was Mike Tellier picking up his 3rd win of the 2023 season in the second race.

The first race started with intense racing from the drop of the green flag. A caution midway through the race made for interesting fuel strategy with many drivers having to save fuel in order to reach the checkered flag. Drivers were side by side for almost all of the first 40-lap event. Nobody could pass Robert Kenny coming to the line. The only lap that Kenny led was the final lap, but that's all it takes to pick up the victory. Alonso Chocano led the race high 16 laps, John Cannizzaro led nine laps, Bill Edwards led five, Paul Billsen and JD Laird both led three laps, Bronson Stafford led two laps, and newcomer Joey Chapman also picked up one lap led.

For the second race, the grid was invirted from the results of race number one, which meant Johnny Williams rolled off from the pole with Tellier to his outside. The later race had a much different dynamic from the first; the field quickly got single file and was briefly spread out do to an incident between Paul Billsen and John Cannizzaro that did not result in a caution. Green-flag pit stops only dramatized this; Philip Scott and JD Laird were able to create a two-car tandem and stayed in front of the lead pack for several laps. After being run down, action started to pick up a little bit with drivers trying to position themselves for the win.

Both the top and bottom names fought for an advantage in the final laps. The highline was led by Outlaw Racing teammates and the bottom was a mix of drivers led by Mike Tellier. A push to Tellier by Bronson Stafford out of turn four moved the 47 car to the middle without help. Mike Tellier won a three-wide drag race to the line (seen above). He beat out Bronson Stafford by 0.008 second and DJ Weeks by 0.016 second. Philip Scott led the race high 21 laps, followed by Mike Tellier who led 12 on route to victory. Also leading laps in the 2nd race were John Cannizzaro and Joey Chapman each with two laps led, and Bill Edwards, DJ Weeks, and Bob Giaquinto all led one lap each.

The Team Banana Daytona Split presented by TableTop Trio put on a great show, as TNR races always do. Next Monday night, the series heads for Rockingham Speedway for some short-track racing action. Tune in live on WRN to TNR racing every Monday night at 8:05 PM (EST).