Race night is finally here for the The 2017 Mudsummer Meltdown race night, presented by the Sim Auto Racing Association and Can-Am Racing Series! After weeks of preparation, a week of testing (or more for some), and a full night of qualifying, the field is set and the drivers are ready to battle it out to be the inaugural Meltdown champion in tonight’s 125-lap Dirt Pro Late Model race. A total of 15 SARA drivers and 11 CARS drivers have locked themselves into the main event, but with the caliber of competitors in the field, there could be a number of drivers with a shot to win.
It’s going to be tough to pick a winner, but we thought we’d help out by ranking the drivers into a few categories, including “The Favorites”, “The Contenders”, “In The Mix”, and the “Underdogs”.
The categories listed below are meant to be fun and at no point are we playing down any one’s talent. These are unofficial and are for entertainment purposes only.
Tyler Hudson
Tyler locked himself into the Meltdown back in July when he dominated the SARA Meltdown Qualifier event at Eldora and picked up the win. He qualified in the top 8 of Time Trials and moved up in the Dash to finish 3rd and will start near the front of the field as the favorite in the feature.
Aaron Daeffler
Aaron probably wasn’t in contention to be in this spot before last night, but he’s been posting fast times in testing for the past week, and was the only CARS member in the top 8 of Time Trials against some tough competition and now stacks up as the favorite CARS member in the event.
Ty Spearman
Ty has been a threat to contend in most SARA races this past season with 2 wins, and proved he still has a fast car with a top 8 Time Trial effort and finished 2nd in the Dash.
Joshua Gayman
Joshua won the first regular season CARS race at Eldora, and used a good draw to start on the pole of his Qualifier for the Meltdown, and went on to lead every lap of it for the win.
Christian Challiner
Christian surprised some people when he took full advantage of the Pole Dash invert, and pulled away to dominate it, putting himself on the pole for the Meltdown.
Josh Kotten
Josh didn’t miss out on the Top 8 in Time Trials by much, then started 2nd in his Qualifier and pressured Derek Robinson for the entire race but had to settle for runner-up.
Matt Rolfe
Matt won the SARA season finale at Eldora, and has been quick this week including in Time Trials where he also made the Top 8 and will roll off 5th for race.
Justin Thompson
Justin came on strong at the end of the CARS season by picking up 3 wins, and like Gayman, he used a good draw for his Qualifier and led every lap for the win.
Joe Schaffer Jr.
Joe won the SARA championship this past season, and then came into the Meltdown and laid down the fastest lap in qualifying proving he’ll have a fast car in the race.
Zack Passen
Zack picked up a win at Eldora during the CARS regular season, and charged from last in his Qualifier to take a transfer spot, and should be good in slick conditions.
Travis McKinney
Travis won a pair of SARA races this past season, and charged to finish 2nd in his Qualifier.
Bruce Perry
Bruce has been quick in both CARS and SARA races all season, and finished 2nd in his Qualifier.
Shane James
Although Shane is brand new to SARA, he’s already shown a lot of speed by being top 8 in Time Trials.
Greg Netherwood
Greg has also been fast in both CARS and SARA races, and finished just behind Perry in his Qualifier in 3rd.
Adam Benefiel
Adam also qualified in the top 8 in Time Trials, and has been in contention for SARA wins this past season.
Justin Wilson
Justin had a trio of CARS wins this past season, and won an epic battle in the LCQ to make the field.
Clay Snider
Clay has found more speed in comfortability in these cars lately, and had a solid 3rd in his Qualifier.
Brenden Queen
Brenden was likely the pre-event favorite for CARS, but had to use the LCQ to make the field, avoiding having to use his automatic starter provisional.
Derek Robinson
Derek didn’t run much during the regular SARA season, but drew lucky #1 and led every lap in his Qualifier win.
Mike King
Mike would rely on a provisional from his CARS Meltdown Qualifier win and will have to come from deep in the field.
Underdogs
Jared Turnbull
Charged from 13th to 3rd in the LCQ to make the field.
Gabe Wood
Finished 4th in the LCQ as the final driver to race his way in.
Darrell Hamlin
Moved up from 8th to 4th in the first Qualifier to make the field.
Michael Reding
Was able to maintain his 3rd place starting spot in Qualifier 1 to get in.
Kenneth Drake
Finished in the final transfer spot in the 2nd Qualifier to get in the show.
Scott Dunlap
Just missed out on getting in via the Qualifier and LCQ, awarded a provisional.