Hobson takes win number one at Richmond!

Cloudy skies hung over Richmond Raceway as the 31 Cup Series hopefuls lined up for the latest chapter in what is already proving to be an enthralling season.

Brenton Hobson again demonstrated that he has the smaller ovals well and truly figured out, backing up his Phoenix form with pole position. Michael Scurlock joined him on the front row.

Hobson would lead away however the fun would only last until lap two, with Wayne Bourke locking up his cold tyres and skittling Andrew Dyson, who in turn collected his teammate Neil Pearson as he slid up to the outside wall. A clearly incensed Dyson then barrelled through the field to remonstrate with Bourke, collecting the innocent Ruben Phelps as he did so causing damage to both cars.

The race, as so often is the case with the shorter tracks, consisted of several short runs with Hobson and Scurlock the clear pace-setters. Behind them a pack comprising Michelmore, Hetterscheid, Martin, Danny G, Foster, Douglas and Russell battled amongst themselves for the minor placings, stark differences in technique, line and aggression on show as each had their own idea about the way the race should be run.

A lap 66 wreck between Barry Neale and Phillip Worley sent the bulk of the field down for tyres and fuel. Douglas, Williams, Curtis and Wellman elected not to pit and headed the field on the resulting restart. While most of the quartet fell quickly by the wayside, Douglas made a good fist of his old tyres, leading through the next couple of restarts before finally succumbing to Hobson on lap 82.

The race continued in this fashion until the final round of stops on lap 105, Scurlock, Freer and Bourke staying out but almost everyone else taking service.

The defining moment of the race came on lap 136. Hobson and Russell had already taken advantage of their new tyres by passing Scurlock, and Foster was leading Jones on the outside lane attempting to do the same.
This was until Paul Daniel elected to exit the pits in front of the lead pack, causing Scurlock to take avoiding action and triggering a wreck involving Foster, O'Shea and Bourke. For his part Daniel accepted no responsibility for the incident, nor for the 12 incidents he had accumulated up until that point.

This would prove to be the final piece of action for the race, Hosbon running out a clear winner from teammate Russell with Michelmore taking 3rd in a welcome return to form.

Next week we head to Martinsville for a short track showdown!

Stewards Report
Incidents
Lap 2 - Wayne Bourke (protest)
Lap 19 - Dylan O'Shea
Lap 29 - Justin Whitcher
Lap 66 - Phillip Worley
Lap 74 - Wayne Bourke
Lap 83 - Kye Turner
Lap 104 - Riley Curtis
Lap 112 - Greg Spencer
Lap 120 - Daniel Hetterscheid (3rd strike EOL next race)
Lap 129 - Tom Freer
Lap 136 - Paul Daniel

Restart Infringements
Lap 25 - Wayne Bourke - Lane change
Lap 89 - Greg Spencer - Lane change
Lap 135 - Wayne Bourke - Lane change

Other
Lap 2 - Andrew Dyson - Unprofessional conduct significantly affecting or impeding - DQ (protest)

Paul Daniel removed from race/league under 6(e) - (e) ANZCAR may, at its sole discretion, elect to remove drivers from the league permanently who display poor character and/or engage in actions detrimental to the league)

Warning
Lap 35 - Tom Freer - borderline lane change
No Further Action
Lap 38 - Trahair/Jones - netcode contact

Lucky 31
Lachlan Urquijo