Lorello Dominates Bristol; Scott Moves Edwards for 3rd Ahead of Championship Race

The penultimate race of the 2023 TNR Grand National Series season presented by Schue Lawn Service was held at Bristol Motor Speedway: the Dunay Jewelers 200. The race was full of drama, from strategies to moves on the racetrack. James Lorello picked up his first win in the 2023 season. Once the 13-car got to the lead, he didn't look back. But there was plenty of drama behind him that will lead to a very tense championship race next Monday night.

The pole sitter for the Dunay Jewelers 200 was John Cannizzaro, but he suffered technical issues with his wheel during the first stage and was forced to retire early. Cannizzaro was the dominant car during the first stage, but championship hopeful Bill Edwards picked up the stage win. After an incident midway through the stage, Edwards pitted for tires and was able to drive through the field to easily win the stage. Cannizzaro was forced to retire earlier after issues with his steering wheel during the first stage.

The incident during the first stage would be the only caution-for-cause in the race. The driver's ran from the lap 45 stage break to the end under the green flag. During pit stops, Philip Scott made a strategy call to remain on the track longer than the rest of the leaders. Scott's strategy, like other times this year, paid off with great long run speed. Scott ran his way to fourth, where he caught up to his championship rival Edwards, who came into the race just 11 points being Scott for the championship.

Scott had run down Edwards but had been unable to complete the pass as the laps wound down. As the two raced down the back straightaway for the final time, it looked as though Edwards would hold the position. However, into turn three, Scott dove into the corner and moved Edwards out of the way to finish in the third position. The move was reminiscent of a similar move that helped Mike Tellier win at Phoenix by moving Scott in the final corner, just in slightly less dramatic and destructive fashion. Scott said in his post-race interview that the move, "I kind of planned out that move in practice, if push came to shove." Scott certainly used it effectively to finish ahead of his championship challenger. Edwards still was able to finish in the fourth position.

Only one race remains for the TNR Grand National Series presented by Schue Lawn Service this season. Las Vegas Motor Speedway is all that stands between one driver and the championship. Philip Scott leads the points, Bill Edwards sits nine points behind in second. These two are the only drivers with a mathematical chance of winning the championship (third place JD Laird sits 57 points behind the leader). It will be a can't miss show on the World Racing Network. Tune in to see which driver walks away with the crown and the other with only defeat.