CONCORD, N.C. — Jordan Black joined Daniel Hemric and Jordan Anderson as the third driver in Bojangles’ Summer Shootout Series history to successfully defend his In Light Wellness Pro division championship, drawing the 23rd edition of the world’s premier grassroots racing series to a close on Tuesday night at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
In addition, Robbie Faggart (Legends Car Masters), Tyler Truex (AAA Carolinas Legends Car Semi-Pro), Giovanni Bromante (K1 Speed Legends Car Young Lions), Matthew Davey (Bandolero Outlaws) and Bryson Ruff (Bandolero Bandits) each celebrated their first-career Shootout championships on the championship stage.
Black entered the final 25-lap feature three points clear of title rival Chase Purdy, but started fourth due to the invert and had to fight his way forward while polesitter Dawson Cram, Austin Green and Purdy all shared the lead in the early going.
Purdy eventually found the lead by lap four, and looked to be in clear position to steal the title away from Black bu winning the race before Black came calling at halfway.
On lap 14, the Florida native was second behind Purdy and made his move for the lead entering turn three. He slid to the inside crossing the stripe and had the clear advantage entering turn one as Purdy threw on the brakes to try and slip in line behind him.
Unfortunately, it wasn’t meant to be.
The rear of Purdy’s race car came across Green’s front bumper entering turn one, causing Purdy to get out of shape and spin before being plowed into by Cram as he came to rest in the center of the corner. While the Mississippi native and leading NASCAR Whelen All American Series rookie climbed out uninjured, his championship aspirations were over.
“It’s a tough way to go out,” Purdy lamented. “This was my last race in a Legends Car, so it’s a little bitter to swallow. I saw the replay … I came down a little bit too much on the 48 (Green), and maybe he came in a little too fast too, but I was trying to force a situation that probably wasn’t there. It just sucks all the way around, but we had a good year. We did a lot, and we’ll hold our heads high with that … move back to the late model and keep digging over there.”
Black went on to lead the final 11 laps for his fourth win of the summer and second-straight, marking the second time (Anderson, 2007) in Pro history at the Shootout where a driver rallied to win the final two races and capture the crown.
“I got to Chase in the center of the corner, gave him a solid ride, and he ended up pushing off the corner,” Black explained. “I was alongside, and when I heard him lift to fill the hole … I wanted to hang him out because I knew he was the next best car. I was looking in my mirror to see where the 48 (of Austin Green) was, and I guess he was there because the next thing I heard was my spotter saying they were wrecking behind me.”
“You hate to have your competition go out like that, but we’re proud of this one and it’s another feather in our cap. It’s impressive and makes me proud to see the names (of multiple champions) that I’ve joined, and it’ll stick with me for a long time to come.”
Black now has eight career Pro wins at the Shootout, tying him with Tyler Green and Thomas van Wingerden for third on the all-time division win list, and is the sixth multiple Pro champion in series history.
“This championship is awesome … probably even more special than the first one,” Black admitted. “My whole family’s here. They flew up from Florida to see me. I’m just so happy and emotional that I get to share this with them.”
Cameron Morga, Donny St. Ours, John Holleman and Kaden Honeycutt rounded out the top five in the race.
Purdy hung on for second in the championship standings, winning a tiebreaker over Stevie Johns despite failing to finish and being credited with 13th.
