Track Specs: Florence (S.C.) Motor Speedway, .400-mile oval/150-lap feature
Kvapil's finish: 2nd
MOORESVILLE, N.C. (Nov. 22, 2021) -- For the second straight year, the annual South Carolina 400 for NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Series Late Models at Florence Motor Speedway came down to a last-lap battle between the No. 8 All Things Automotive/iRacing Chevrolet of JR Motorsports and Ty Majeski.
The only difference between last year's tight finish was, Carson Kvapil was driving the No. 8 instead of Josh Berry.
Majeski, who beat Berry to the finish last year after a wild scramble in the closing laps, had to come from the back after using the defending champion's provisional to even make the field.
Kvapil, who will drive the No. 8 Chevrolet for JR Motorsports full-time next season, put his All Things Automotive/iRacing machine sixth out of 52 cars in qualifying, snugging the handling to the tight side in the center to help with tire wear during the long race. Teams had to make their qualifying tires last all 150 laps, so conservation was the order of the day.
Starting from sixth, with Berry on the radio in the infield to help with strategy, Kvapil saved tires with the rest of the field, working his way to second by the break at lap 100. In the pits, Bryan Shaffer and the No. 8 team made a couple of changes to tighten the car up a bit for the final run. Those changes allowed Kvapil to take the lead, which he held for most of the 50-lap stint. The caution at lap 139 forced a late-race restart, negating a solid lead for the young driver.
The tight handling condition hindered Kvapil's ability to fire off, and Majeski, who had clawed his way from the tail of the field—thanks in big part to a multi-car pileup just before the lap-100 break—got past for the lead. One final caution, with five or so laps remaining, allowed Majeski to work his plan again. Kvapil raced side-by-side with Majeski for the win, but the defending race champion held him off to win the race.
Behind Majeski and Kvapil at the finish came Brandon Pierce, Connor Hall and Doug Barnes. Barnes led much of the early going after starting on the pole. Ryan Millington led Stefan Parsons in the second five with Sammy Smith, with Mark Wertz and Bobby McCarty the rest of the top 10.
Carson Kvapil, driver No. 8 All Things Automotive/iRacing Chevrolet team
"I thought the No. 8 All Things Automotive/iRacing Chevrolet was really fast most of the day, and we almost got the win at the end of the race. I was able to pull away on long runs and that's what got us a runner-up finish. Huge thanks to All Things Automotive, iRacing and JR Motorsports for giving me the opportunity to drive this No. 8 car tonight. I'm looking forward to next season."