Brody Gunter had an awfully impressive performance, securing his first career win in Round 4 of the VP Fuels Semi-Pro Division on Awful Night presented by Bojangles at the Cook Out Summer Shootout. Gunter made it tough on his competition with a terribly close pass in Turn 4 on the final lap for a last-second bump of London McKenzie.
Gunter started the race third and quickly fought his way to the front, competing with Michael Crafton who got out to a dreadfully good start. After multiple dire cautions, Crafton's lead was cut when an unsightly error allowed McKenzie to take over on Lap 17 moving Gunter to second.
McKenzie seemed poised to dominate the race, but an unfavorable caution on the final lap threw a wrench in his plans. On the final restart, Gunter went from friends to enemies with McKenzie, completing a pass to secure his first wickedly good Cook Out Summer Shootout victory.
"It is huge. This is my fourth year coming to Summer Shootout, and this is my first win not just here but nationally. I can't thank everyone on the back of my racecar enough," said Gunter.
Joining him on the podium were Aiden McConnaughey and McKenzie in second and third while Crafton finished fourth. Dominic Chisholm had a stinking good night to close out the top five.
Johnson Jumps for Joy, Fries Bojangles Outlaw Competition
In the final five laps, Bojangles Outlaw driver Colt Johnson turned his frown upside down claiming the top spot for Round 4. Johnson, who started on the pole, quickly had the lead yanked from under his feet by Jeffrey Beck coming into Turn 1 in only the second lap of the race.
Battling through cautions, it was an awfully burly brawl between the two for first place, which later involved both TJ Moon and Bryson Nichols all leading the field. It wasn’t until Lap 16 that Johnson was able to do his worst, taking the inside route to regain his P1 position, holding off the competition until the checkered flag.
“My strategy was just to put pressure on him [Beck] and try to make him have a mistake so I could get under him and get around him,” Johnson said. “This [win] will get us in for a really good battle for the [Cook Out] Summer Shootout Championship.”
In the tight-knit top five, Nichols managed to squeeze past to secure second followed by Beck in third, Owen Zacharias in fourth and TJ Moon rounding out the Outlaws finest.
Contrary to the night's theme, these drivers were anything but awful. Roo Reaves (Night Owl Companies Beginner Bandos), Wyatt Coffey (Bandits), Colt Johnson (Bojangles Outlaws), JC Fickenscher (Chargers), Max Reaves (Night Owl Companies Young Lion), Brody Gunter (VP Fuels Semi-Pro), Joel Smith (Pro), Robby Faggart (Old Armor Beer Company Masters) all left with a win, leaving their competitors feeling rotten.
ABOUT COOK OUT SUMMER SHOOTOUT:
Cook Out Summer Shootout is a 10-race showcase of speed among eight different divisions of Legend Cars and Bandoleros. Races are held each Tuesday night, with drivers accumulating points throughout the summer towards a season-ending championship.
TICKETS:
Cook out Summer Shootout will return next Monday AND Tuesday for a jam-packed doubleheader of Bandolero and Legend Car racing, followed by a dazzling post-race firework show on Tuesday, July 2. Tickets are $10 on Monday and $15 on Tuesday; kids 12 and under get in FREE. For tickets, schedules and more details about all the happenings at Charlotte Motor Speedway, visit www.charlottemotorspeedway.com/tickets.
KEEP TRACK:
Follow all the thrilling Cook Out Summer Shootout action at Charlotte Motor Speedway on X, Facebook and Instagram.
