16-year-old Austin Barnes is the latest E3 75 winner.
This past weekend’s E3 75 got off to a pretty rough start with the first of four yellow flags falling even before the entire field of 26 starters could get past the starting line. But once the drivers got into the groove, it proved to be a spectacular race.
Part of the Lucas Oil Modified Racing Series presented by Rockstar Energy Drink, the E3 75 boasted a field of the best open wheel driving talent from throughout the western states area and a $3,000 winning purse. The pre-race favorite was 16-year-old Escondido, Californian Austin Barnes, who started the day by setting a new track qualifying record of 15.215 seconds. Barnes led most of the race, but nearly lost it to Aaron McMorran, who, in a last-minute deal, climbed into the driver’s seat of the #1H modified normally driven in the series by Thomas Pfundstein.
McMorran clearly had winning on his mind and Barnes’ taillights in his sight. He drove a hard-charged fight to catch and pass Barnes and came heartbreakingly close. Barnes held onto the lead and won by a mere seven tenths of a second. Rounding out the top five were Scott Winters, Bear Rzesnowiecky and Shelby Strobel.
E3 Spark Plugs congratulates Barnes and all the racers who burned up the Las Vegas Bullring Nov. 5.
