GAFFNEY, S.C. – Story by Managing Editor Jacob Seelman for Race Chaser Online – Zack Kloosterman photo – Harrisburg, North Carolina native Tony Grams locked up the 2014 Carolina RaceSaver 305 Sprint Car Series (CRSCS) championship in style on Saturday night at Cherokee Speedway – by taking the checkered flag in addition to the title hardware.

Grams took advantage of Jake McLain’s misfortune to take the lead when the latter broke coming to complete lap 14, then held on following two caution flags inside the final five laps to notch his eighth CRSCS win of 2014, after only needing to start the season-ending 20-lap feature to clinch his first series championship.

Grams led the opening lap from the pole position before McLain powered past in turn two to lead the next twelve laps before being bitten by his mechanical gremlins. McLain was able to make it to the infield, but a slowing Matt Hope on the next lap drew the caution at lap 15.

A second caution at lap 15 flew when Scott Lawrence, driving Mike Leraas’ backup car, looped his machine in turn four. The yellow was no consequence to Grams, however, who took off on the final restart and never looked back.

RaceSaver rookie Greg Smyre, from Hickory, North Carolina finished second, tying his career-best CRSS feature finish, and Mt. Ulla, North Carolina veteran Bill Moore completed the podium in the third spot.

Bobby Komisarski and Scott Lawrence rounded out the top five – the final cars on the lead lap at the finish.

Grams also won the RaceSaver First Heat over Mike Leraas, and Lawrence held off Jake McLain for the win in the RaceSaver Second Heat.

With the conclusion of the 2014 season, the Carolina RaceSaver Sprint Series looks toward the 2015 season, and a full schedule of events will be announced during the offseason.

RESULTS: Carolina RaceSaver 305 Sprint Car Series; Cherokee Speedway; October 4, 2014 

RaceSaver First Heat: Tony Grams, Mike Leraas, Greg Smyre, Matt Hope, Dave Thorman, Sonny Stroud (DNS).

RaceSaver Second Heat: Scott Lawrence, Jake McLain, Bill Moore, Bobby Komisarski, Darren Hasty.

Carolina RaceSaver 305 Sprint Car Series at Cherokee Speedway Main Event: 20-laps

1. #22 – Tony Grams,
2. #87 – Greg Smyre, Hickory, NC
3. #06 – Bill Moore, Mt. Ulla, NC
4. #17 – Bobby Komisarski,
5. #77S – Scott Lawrence,
6. #77 – Mike Leraas, Kernersville, NC
7. #12 – Darren Hasty,
8. #5 – Dave Thorman, Greenville, SC
9. #28H – Matt Hope, York, SC
10. #67 – Jake McLain, Indian Trail, NC
11. #5S – Sonny Stroud, Marietta, SC (DNS)