Brandon Jones conquers ARCA Watkins Glen race in one-lap shootout
A nudge into Watkins Glen International’s opening turn, known as The Ninety, sent the top two runners off the road and opened the door for Brandon Jones to take the lead on the last lap of last Friday’s General Tire Delivers 100. His Joe Gibbs Racing No. 81 Toyota held off Nick Sanchez for the victory around the remaining six corners.
Sammy Smith had led all but two laps in Friday evening’s outing — one lap in the pit stop exchange under caution, and the last lap after being sent wide on the final restart. Contact with Taylor Gray sent his Kyle Busch Motorsports No. 18 wide in the first corner, while Gray had been pushed into the braking zone from Jones behind. Smith chatted with Gray post-race and the two agreed in their brief conversation. “No worries man, you’re good.” Smith told Gray walking away.
The win for Jones in the JGR No. 81 is their third victory in the 2022 ARCA Menards Series in four outings this season.
Series point leader Nick Sanchez extended his point-lead over fourth-place finisher Daniel Dye following the 100-miler at The Glen. Sanchez’s REV Racing teammate, Rajah Caruth overcame a flat tire and pit violation and narrowly missed out on a top-10 finish after impacting the turn 7 wall on the final lap. The contact with the SAFER barrier moved the No. 6 to third in the series standings as the campaign raced in Springfield, Illinois on Sunday and The Milwaukee Mile next weekend.
Jesse Love was the top Venturini Motorsports driver, finishing third in the Yahoo! No. 20 Camry. Sammy Smith rounded out the top five positions after recovering from the turn one contact, while Gray finished eighth.
General Tire Delivers at The Glen 100 Results
1 – (81) Brandon Jones / 8th Career ARCA Victory
2 – (2) Nick Sanchez
3 – (20) Jesse Love
4 – (43) Daniel Dye
5 – (18) Sammy Smith / Led 39 of 41 Laps
6 – (15) Parker Chase
7 – (32) Austin Wayne Self
8 – (17) Taylor Gray
9 – (4) Dale Quarterley
10 – (55) Conner Jones
11 – (6) Rajah Caruth
12 – (11) Stanton Barrett
13 – (35) Greg Van Alst
14 – (25) Toni Breidinger
15 – (03) Casey Carden
16 – (23) Connor Mosack
17 – (12) Ed Pompa
18 – (71) Christopher Werth
19 – (30) Amber Balcaen
20 – (06) Rita Thomason
21 – (7) Ed Bull
22 – (73) Andy Jankowiak
23 – (01) Zachary Tinkle
24 – (48) Brad Smith
25 – (10) Tim Monroe
