Track Specs: .363-mile oval / Twin 40-lap features
Berry’s Race 1 finish: 1st
Berry’s Race 2 finish: 1st
Mosack’s Race 1 finish: 6th
Mosack’s Race 2 finish: 5th
HICKORY, N.C. (June 29, 2020) – While the rain finally cleared out of the region, JR Motorsports Late Model drivers Josh Berry and Connor Mosack brought thunder of a different sort on Saturday night at Hickory Motor Speedway.
Berry swept a pair of twin 40-lap Late Model features at the historic .363-mile oval and Mosack finished sixth in the first and fifth in the second. For Berry, it was his second straight twin sweep at HMS, giving him 30 career victories at the track while driving for the team. Back in May, Berry swept a pair of 51-lap features.
In the first 40-lap main, which saw 25 cars line up, Berry started from the pole after setting fast time in qualifying. The only lap he didn’t lead in the first 40-lapper was the first one, thanks to a yellow flag. On the restart, however, the Tennessee native took the top spot and his No. 88 All Things Automotive/iRacing Chevrolet was never headed.
Mosack, driving the No. 8 Nic Tailor/IFS Chevrolet, started ninth in the opener after a solid qualifying lap and set about charging up the order. With 15 laps remaining, Mosack was up to sixth, a half-straightaway behind the fifth-place machine. The Charlotte native got to the bumper with four to go only to have a car lose traction ahead. That forced him to the brake and killed any chance the young driver had of making the pass before the checkered flag, and left him in sixth at the finish.
Berry started ninth in the second 40-lapper after the inversion, and it took some time for the former track champion to get to the front. Between races, Berry and his team made some adjustments to see how they would affect his run, and the changes weren’t as good as the original setup. On the 24th lap, Berry finally assumed the top spot and held it to the finish to secure the sweep.
Mosack rolled off from the outside of the second row for the second race and immediately moved forward, sweeping into the runner-up slot in short order. At the 15-lap mark, Mosack had the leader lined up and was on his inside when the car developed a loose condition. Mosack kept digging, but the loose condition worsened as long as the leader was on the outside. Backing off and switching lanes, Mosack tried the high line to no avail as the leader maintained the outside position. Faster cars, including Berry, soon came upon the battle and Mosack finished fifth when the checkered flag waved.
Josh Berry, driver No. 88 All Things Automotive/iRacing Chevrolet team
“We had a really good car in the first race, and was able to build a lead and manage it. For the second race, we made some changes to get some information and wasn't quite as good. It was pretty tough working through the field, but we were able to get it done. Big thank you to All Things Automotive, iRacing, and all our JRM guys for all their hard work.”
Connor Mosack, driver No. 8 Nic Tailor/IFS Chevrolet team
“We ran a lot better this weekend at Hickory than we have been, so it was good for us to see that improvement. Qualifying in the top 10 was helpful, and from there we were able to work our way forward. We still need to have a little more, though, and we will bring it next time we’re back on track.”