Track Specs: Langley (Va.) Speedway, .400-mile oval/125-lap feature
Kvapil's finish: 4th
MOORESVILLE, N.C. (June 5, 2023) -- Carson Kvapil's bid to begin another Solid Rock Carriers CARS Tour winning streak on Saturday night at Langley Speedway fell short but the defending series champion was a solid fourth at the checkered flag.
In his first LMSC race since North Wilkesboro in May, Kvapil set a good pace in qualifying, putting his No. 8 Bass Pro Shops/TRACKER Boats & ATVs Chevrolet solidly on the inside of the second row for the 125-lap feature on the racy .400-mile oval.
The 20-year-old driver spent most of practice working on the balance of his Chevrolet, adjusting to track temperature and getting it to turn on the center of the sweeping corners. When the race began, Kvapil was confident that he would be around the front.
Over the first 40 laps, which ended with the CARS Tour-mandated competition caution, Kvapil stayed in the top five and saved tires for the latter stages. On the restart, however, the Bass Pro Shops Chevrolet got shuffled to the outside lane and dropped deeper into the top 10.
After another mandatory caution, Kvapil got back to the bottom and made a charge, despite a building tight condition in the middle of the long corners. Several charges over the final laps fell short and Kvapil ended up fourth at the checkered flag.
Late in the race, during a crucial sequence for the top four, the lights at Langley suddenly went out, leading to some confusion on track, but they soon came back on, and the race resumed unimpeded.
Connor Hall won the race in a tight duel over Brenden Queen, while Kaden Honeycutt finished third after leading the majority of the race. Kvapil came fourth, with Layne Riggs fifth.
Kvapil, the points leader entering the race, maintained the top spot in the season-long point standings heading into the next race, which will again be in Virginia at the banked Dominion Raceway in Thornburg on June 17.
Carson Kvapil, driver No. 8 Bass Pro Shops/TRACKER Boats & ATVs Chevrolet team
"At the end of the race, we just didn't have the turn we needed. Our Bass Pro Shops/TRACKER Boats & ATVs Chevrolet was fast for all 125 laps, but we were tight in the center all night long. We were focused on a good performance and it was good, but we needed to be a little bit better. Bryan (Shaffer, team manager/crew chief) and the whole crew deserve a big thank you for their hard work and dedication, and I can't thank Johnny Morris and everyone at Bass Pro Shops for the opportunity to drive this No. 8 Chevrolet every week."