After 11 races stretching over nine months, the 2019 K&N Pro Series East season concludes this weekend at Dover International Speedway, the 29th time the series has competed on the Delaware oval.
At weekend’s end, a champion will be crowned and the season will be celebrated. For one driver, it’ll be a weekend with no pressure as history awaits.
GENERAL TIRE 125 AT DOVER
WHAT TO WATCH FOR:
It’s all but official.
Sam Mayer needs to finish 27th or better to clinch the 2019 K&N Pro East championship for GMS Racing. In one prior start at the Monster Mile last season, he finished fourth. Mayer’s season has been a dream one, visiting Victory Lane three times. He’ll put a bow on it this weekend.
With the title, Mayer will become the youngest champion in NASCAR national or regional series history.
At 16 years, 3 months, 8 days, he will eclipse the mark set in 2016 by current NASCAR Gander Outdoors Truck Series driver Todd Gilliland (16 years, 5 months). Mayer will better the East record that was set in 2017 by another current Gander Outdoors Truck Series driver, Harrison Burton (16 years, 11 months, 20 days).
It’s fitting, perhaps, that Gilliland will be back behind the wheel for DGR-Crosley for the second time this season Friday. He was eighth in the season opener at Florida’s New Smyrna Speedway.
All Mayer has done is finish in the top five in all but one start, averaging a starting position AND finishing position of under 4. In addition to his three wins, he finished second twice. He also has six top fives in seven ARCA Menards Series starts and made his Gander Outdoors Truck Series debut this year.
Not a bad rookie campaign.
The race for second will be intriguing to follow along with, as Chase Cabre (-30) has a 12-point buffer on Spencer Davis (-42) for the runner-up spot. Tanner Gray (-48) sits fourth, with Max McLaughlin (-61) fifth.
Only once since Andy Santerre in 2005 has the series champion also won the Dover race. That was Burton in 2017.
Rev Racing’s Ruben Garcia Jr. is the defending race winner, while Chase Cabre will look to match his brother Collin, who earned the ‘Monster Mile’ trophy in 2015.
RACE FACTS
| RACE |
GENERAL TIRE 125
|
|---|---|
| PLACE | Dover International Speedway |
| DATE | Friday, October 4, 2019 |
| TIME | 5 p.m. EDT |
| TELEVISION | FansChoice.TV (live), 5 p.m. EDT; NBCSN — Friday, October 11, 6 p.m. EDT |
| TRACK LAYOUT | 1-mile concrete oval |
| 2018 WINNER | Ruben Garcia Jr. |
| 2018 POLE | Harrison Burton |
| EVENT SCHEDULE | Garage opens: 7:30 a.m. EDT; Final practice: 9-10:20 a.m.; Group qualifying: 12 p.m.; Driver autograph session: 3-4 p.m.; Driver introductions: 4:35 p.m.; General Tire 125: 5 p.m. (approx) |
| @MonsterMile, @NASCARHomeTrack | |
| HASHTAG | #KNEAST, #GeneralTire125 |
CREW CHIEF HANDOUT: The starting field for the General Tire 125 is limited to 28 starters, including provisional positions. The first 24 drivers will secure starting positions based on qualifying for the General Tire 125. The remaining four spots will be awarded through the provisional process.
The number of groups for qualifying will be determined by NASCAR. Each group qualifying session will be five (5) minutes in duration and the fastest single lap speed of each vehicle will determine starting positions 1st through 24th. Adjustments or repairs may not be made on a vehicle after the vehicle enters the track to begin the qualifying session. Vehicles may not return to the track or make any further qualifying laps unless directed to do so by a NASCAR Official or in the event of a caution. If a vehicle returns to pit road, the vehicle‘s qualifying attempt is complete. Once a vehicle‘s qualifying attempt is complete the vehicle must proceed directly to the designated impound area once it enters pit road. In the event of a caution, all vehicles must exit the track. Vehicles that elect to continue must proceed directly to the re-entry area of pit road and stop to the outside of pit road. No adjustments or repairs may be made to any vehicle on pit road or in the re-entry area during a caution except the removal of tape on the grille opening only, once removed the reinstallation of tape will not be permitted.
Vehicles will be impounded after qualifying. Vehicles must qualify on race set up. Only minor adjustments will be permitted following qualifying (i.e. air pressure checked, tape removed). NASCAR Officials must oversee and authorize any and all work being done during this time period.
The General Tire 125 will be 125 laps (125 miles) and is to be run in three (3) segments with a five (5) minute break at or near the conclusion of Laps 40 and 80.
The maximum tire allotment available for this event is as follows: Eight (8) tires for practice, four (4) tires for qualifying and to begin the race and four (4) additional tires for use during the race for a total of sixteen (16) tires.
A team representative must designate qualifying and race tires to NASCAR Officials at the designated time.
MEDIA CENTER:
K&N West: Derek Kraus Survives Meridian Carnage, Wins In Overtime | One Year Later: Reliving Hailie Deegan‘s Historic Win at Meridian
NWMT: Craig Lutz Breaks Into Victory Lane in NAPA Fall Final at Stafford
Pinty’s: Andrew Ranger Claims Third Series Title, Brett Taylor Scores Dramatic Maiden Win
NWAAS: Jacob Goede Earns 2019 Whelen All-American Series National TitleÂ
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