CHEVROLET RACING IN NATIONAL HOT ROD ASSOCIATION AMALIE MOTOR OIL GATORNATIONALS GAINESVILLE RACEWAY, GAINESVILLE, FLORIDA SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2020
ALEX LAUGHLIN SHAKES OFF EARLY-SEASON ISSUES AND SCORES BIGGEST WIN OF HIS CAREER IN HISTORIC GATORNATIONALS
• Jason Line retakes point lead in tight three-way battle with four races remaining
GAINESVILLE, Fla. (September 27, 2020) – Alex Laughlin left famed Gainesville Raceway very disappointed after his defeat in the NHRA Pro Stock final in 2019. He broke on the starting line and as his team rolled his car backwards, he watched Bo Butner drive away to the win.
But the driver of the Havoline Chevrolet Camaro SS left today a much happier young man, holding the Wally for winning the prestigious Gatornationals.
It was an all Elite Performance final as Laughlin lined up next to Aaron Stanfield. Both drivers thought they were going to suffer the agony of defeat as the duo shook the tires on both cars hard right out of the box. Somehow, Laughlin was able to get the car back underneath him and drive it straight to the lights for the win.
Laughlin’s car was as good as any as he started his march from No. 4 starting spot. Laughlin posted wins against Kenny Delco, rookie Kyle Koretsky, and low qualifier Deric Kramer.
Erica Enders, Jeg Coughlin Jr., and Jason Line all came in separated by just 11-points, but none of them were able to get a solid lead in the standings. Coughlin lost in round one while Enders lost in the quarterfinals to Line. Jason takes over the lead by a mere two points with four races remaining.
PRO STOCK:
JASON LINE, SUMMIT RACING EQUIPMENT CHEVROLET CAMARO SS, (fell in the semis) “It was not the day we wanted, and we kind of struggled and never really got a good handle on the racetrack all weekend – but you’ll have that. The good news is that we made up a little bit of ground and moved into the points lead. That’s a good thing, but we’re not going to fixate on that right now. It’s nice to have, though. The goal from here will be to hang onto it, obviously, and I think the silver Summit Racing Chevrolet Camaro is only going to get better and better.”
GREG ANDERSON, KB RACING, SUMMIT RACING EQUIPMENT CHEVROLET CAMARO SS, (fell in the first round): “I was ready to go with my head, but my leg wasn’t. Those two have to be on the same page, or you’re in trouble. It was a rookie mistake, unfortunately, but the good news was that I had a good racecar with my Summit Racing Chevy”
ALEX LAUGHLIN, HAVOLINE/ELITE MOTORSPORTS CHEVROLET CAMARO SS, (race winner)“This has been a heck of a year and I am sure everybody says that, but this is just unbelievable. I want to thank Richard Freeman for giving me a bad-to-the-bone race car. I want to thank Havoline, because without these guys, I wouldn’t be anywhere or anything and their continued support just means so much to me. Hoping we can renew this year…..my family, just so thankful. The list goes on and on.”