Round 2 - Rockingham (Super Stocks)

For Tony Long's return to behind-the-wheel activities, his year has been about as memorable as Greece's involvement in World War 2. In his first full-time weekend, Tony found himself doing double duty with his 2nd Dash Cup race and his upcoming Aspira Juniors debut later.

Before Sprint 2 began, Tony had hoped to give a decent enough performance to makeup for his forgettable drive in the Rookies Only Race at Toddring.

"The car was not going to be competitive, I was hoping to finish my 60-lap sprint." After sprint 1 finished, Tony became nervous about what was going to happen if a crash had happened. "Some of the hits during those crashes were hard to watch, especially by the 29 in the Fochesato crash."

On the 2nd caution of Sprint 2, Kellan Rogers-Ashby crashed on the frontstraight. Tony went low to avoid the crash but made contact with his right-front on KRA's car. "The damage I didn't believe at the moment was too significant, but the handling just fell off big time."

Tony's long day didn't end there. Later in the race, Perrie Forrister's spin-and-save was met by Israel Bruce crashing in to her sending Bruce back up the race track. Tony tried getting by high up on the race track but was clipped in the left rear and went for a couple of wild spins. No caution was thrown for this.

"I was an innocent victim. If I slowed down, I possibly miss the wreck, get hit in the engine, I get hit in the door, or I hit Israel in the door. The car was done after that. Why the caution was never thrown and why Israel tried to get in to the pit lane with Perrie in his way, it baffles me."

If Tony's day could not have gotten any worse, his miserable day was finished by being involved of the cause of the big one late in the race.

"I got nailed from behind. I felt the rear tires lifted off the ground and it just sent the car to the right. I am trying to get out of everyone's way, I motioned, I did everything I could. I just don't understand why some drivers have no idea how to pass a lapped car."

After this weekend, Tony's next Dash Cup run will be his 2nd and final double-duty weekend at Oulton Park. "I am looking forward to the road course race. I have never been to Oulton Park so it will be nice to get 2 races of experience at the same track."

Holyfield responds: "I heard the 5 (Brannigan) was not happy over her radio. From my perspective, the 37 checked up because of a slow lapped car... and I mean he slowed down a lot.  I had a good run going into the turn. If I slammed on the brakes, I was concerned I'd wipe out half the field. So I tried to veer to the left slightly to give my car a little more time to slow... but I couldn't change lanes completely or... again... I would have taken out half the field. It was just a minor accordion effect but it could have been a major one. I got into her a little bit, but I don't know what else I could have done?! You always kind of expect the cars ahead to maintain their momentum. If I were her, I'd be asking why the 37 didn't just pass that slow car instead."

TDR Girls Continue to Struggle in Feature

While both TDR cars made the feature at Rockingham, neither were around for the end, as Carla Rosinski was once again caught up in an early wreck, and Amanda Torres dealt with an ill-everything car after the accident that brought out caution number two.

"After we got damage, it was over. I should have just pulled it off track, and I'm sorry for being so useless out there today. Just sucks not being able to do your best when you've got a car that's fixin' to die" An apologetic Amanda Torres said after the race. Despite that, she was credited with a 20th place finish which moved her up to 19th in the championship.

A TDR official said after the race that they do not expect to be hit with any penalties despite Torres' poor showing, citing the heavier than expected damage that hampered her ability to move for the leaders on several occasions.

Historic Brannagan takes first career Super Stocks victory

It's only been three races, but 16 year old Emily Brannagan has impressed many already after an incredible display in the early parts of the season. Her pre-season results consisted of a win and a 5th place finish at Toddring, but it wouldn't take long for Brannagan to experience her first official win. Brannagan, who is full time in the Aspira Juniors series for the second year in a row, was unofficially the youngest driver to win a Dash Cup race after the Rookies Only Race, but she has now made that merit official with her Rockingham victory.

Brannagan was met with the congratulations of many of her teammates and fellow racers after the event, who was as shocked as everyone else by her accomplishment.

"I'm just stunned," said Brannagan, "I seen the white flag out and I was thinking 'Am I really going to do this?' and I had to defend from [Soren] Kanerva and it was really difficult but... I'm just so shocked right now. This is incredible."

Brannagan is only set to show up at Mallory Park, Spa Francorchamps and New York Autoring, but after her incredible maiden victory, could we be seeing the young Scot at more races in 2016?