UPDATE: Despite looking like Gavin Graham had finished second in Thursday night’s race, Graham was actually awarded the win after race winner Casey Roderick’s truck failed post-race inspection.
The 13-year old driver became the youngest winner in Snowball Derby history. Graham posted photos to his facebook page.
ORIGINAL STORY: It was a big night for 13-year old Gavin Graham on Thursday, as he escaped a crazy Pro Truck Feature race at Five Flags Speedway in Pensacola, Florida with a second-place finish.
Graham had the win sewed up as he got an incredible restart after a red flag for a severe accident with two laps remaining between Hunter Johnson and John Heil. But on the final lap of the race, Casey Roderick shoved Graham out of the way for the lead.
“On that last restart, we got a better restart, but he ended up getting us on the last lap,” Graham told TobyChristie.com. “If we just stayed ahead of him, we were going to get it, but the good old fashioned bump and run is what got us.”
Even with the heartbreak of being bumped from the lead on the final lap, Graham was a good sport about finishing second, as the truck that won has special meaning to the teenager.
“I’m glad we finished second, and if I didn’t win, I’m glad that Jason’s truck won with Casey driving,” Graham explained. “Jason helped me out through a lot of things when I was younger. Glad to see that truck in victory lane.”
Thursday night’s Pro Truck Feature race at Five Flags Speedway, had a little bit of everything. Thrilling racing. A scary crash (Videos here), which everyone walked away from. And an incredible battle for the race win between Graham and Roderick.
Keep up with Gavin Graham’s path up the racing ladder through his website at gavingrahamracing.com and follow him on Twitter and Facebook.
