LOVES PARK, Ill. – Jimmy McCune broke Charlie Schultz's heart on Saturday night at Rockford Speedway, stealing the lead with two laps left and going on to win the Must See Racing Sprintacular at the semi-banked quarter-mile.

McCune, who was running third with five laps left in the 50-lap main event, executed a pair of perfectly-timed slide jobs in turns one and two to leapfrog both Jacob Wilson and then Schultz in the final laps.

PHOTOS CREDIT TO CHRIS SEELMAN

The three-time defending series champion forced his way to Wilson's inside with four to go and then stalked Schultz, who led the first 48 circuits from the outside pole. Finally, coming to two laps remaining, McCune got a run to the inside exiting turn four and muscled his way past on the opposite end of the track, charging into the top spot and darting away into the Illinois night.

Saturday night's victory was the 28th of McCune's Must See Racing career, as well as his fourth of the season and his fourth at Rockford. He ran the closing stages with little to no brakes onboard his car.

"I don't even know where to start with this one," said McCune, driver of the Abe's Auto Parts & Sales/B&B Machinery Movers/Rev-X Oil sprinter. "We worked our tails off all day on this car. We changed every ounces of brakes ... all three calipers ... bled the brakes like 18 times, and somehow it all worked out.

"Those last five laps, I don't even know where that came from, to be honest with you," McCune continued. "It was hard tonight, but for some reason we started getting a good run on the high side and started catching the guys in front of us. They took that lane away, so I knew I had to go back to the bottom. We used up a lot of race track, but we got the W and that's what counts at the end of the day."

Combined with his five wins at Anderson (Ind.) Speedway, nearly a third of McCune's series wins have come on quarter-mile bullrings, a type of track that McCune simply says suits his driving style "to a tee."

"I grew up doing the quarter-mile stuff," noted McCune. "I came to these types of tracks 15 or 20 years ago in a midget ... maybe even longer than that. I've always loved these little places and how you can root and gouge for space when you need to. It's just fun, hard racing, man."

Schultz jumped into the lead off the initial start and fended off multiple advances from Wilson for the first three-quarters of the race, with only a caution flag on lap eight for the blown motor on Joe Speakman's car slowing the roll of the Lorain, Ohio veteran.

As the laps wore on, however, Schultz's car got "wicked tight" until he finally pushed too wide in turns three and four. He led lap 48 by a half car length, but McCune's run through turns one and two was just too strong and Schultz was forced to settle for second in the end, 1.114 seconds adrift.

Despite the heartbreak of just missing out on his first Must See Racing win, Schultz climbed from his car with a smile on his face and his head held high after a career-best performance.

"With about five laps to go, the car just started getting tighter and tighter. Earlier in the run, the 07 (Wilson) stuck a nose underneath me, but I was able to get back going again and get moving through traffic," said Schultz. "The lapped cars didn't hurt me any; we just got a little too snug.

"Last year here, we were a lap down in sixth, so to come out with this kind of a performance is big for this being only my second time here," Schultz added. "To finish second tonight was a huge confidence builder. It's both frustrating and rewarding ... but we're happy with where we're headed as a team."

Wilson completed the podium in third, followed by Anthony McCune and Johnny Petrozelle III, who was the final car on the lead lap in fifth.

Even in spite of the lap eight caution flag, Saturday night's feature was completed in just 13 minutes and 19 seconds, at an average race pace of 56.316 mph.

Anthony McCune kicked off the night by scoring his second-career Hamilton Trucking Fast Time Award with a lap of 11.601 seconds (77.580 mph) in qualifying. Joe Speakman and Jacob Wilson won their respective heat races.

The Must See Racing Sprint Car Series season continues with the Fast Forty at Owosso (Mich.) Speedway on Saturday, Aug. 4. Jimmy McCune is the defending event winner.

RESULTS: Must See Racing Sprint Car Series; Rockford Speedway; July 28, 2018

1-800-RADIATOR A-Feature (50 laps): 1. #88 – Jimmy McCune [5]; 2. #9s – Charlie Schultz [2]; 3. #07 – Jacob Wilson [4]; 4. #8 – Anthony McCune [6]; 5. #81 – Johnny Petrozelle [1]; 6. #75c – Jerry Caryer [7]; 7. #8a – Adam Biltz [10]; 8. #4L – Anthony Linkenhoker [9]; 9. #72s – Joe Speakman [8]; 10. #26 – Jeff Bloom [3]; 11. #7 – Tom Jewell [11].

Lap Leader(s): Schultz 1-48, J. McCune 49-50.

Hard Charger: #88 – Jimmy McCune (+4)

Hamilton Trucking Time Trials (best of two laps): 1. #8 – Anthony McCune, 11.601; 2. #88 – Jimmy McCune, 11.736; 3. #07 – Jacob Wilson, 11.753; 4. #26 – Jeff Bloom, 12.098; 5. #9s – Charlie Schultz, 12.105; 6. #7 – Tom Jewell, 12.212; 7. #81 – Johnny Petrozelle, 12.404; 8. #75c – Jerry Caryer, 12.526; 9. #72s – Joe Speakman, 12.608; 10. #4L – Anthony Linkenhoker, 13.616; 11. #8a – Adam Biltz, no time.

Abe's Auto Parts Heat #1 (10 laps): 1. Joe Speakman [2], 2. Johnny Petrozelle [4], 3. Jerry Caryer [3], 4. Adam Biltz [5], 5. Anthony Linkenhoker [1]. (2:07.553)

Abe's Auto Parts Heat #2 (10 laps): 1. Jacob Wilson [2], 2. Anthony McCune [4], 3. Jimmy McCune [3], 4. Charlie Schultz [5], 5. Jeff Bloom [1], 6. Tom Jewell [6]. (2:02.881)

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Jacob Seelman
Freelance Writer
Series Announcer for Must See Racing

LOVES PARK, Ill. – Still seeking his first-career Must See Racing Sprint Car Series win, Anthony McCune got off to a fast start at Rockford Speedway on Saturday afternoon by leading practice for the Sprint Car Spectacular at the semi-banked quarter-mile oval.

McCune turned a lap of 11.855 seconds (75.917 mph) in his No. 8 Abe's Auto Parts & Sales/B&B Machinery Movers/Rev-X Oil sprinter, topping his uncle – three-time defending series champion Jimmy McCune – by nearly a quarter of a second.

The 20-year-old from Sylvania, Ohio has been lightning-quick in recent weeks, nearly capturing his first win at Midvale (Ohio) Speedway on July 14 before finishing second to his uncle. He also came home third Friday night at Madison (Wis.) Int'l Speedway on Friday night after leading 13 laps.

Jimmy McCune timed in second-fastest overall in the No. 88 Abe's Auto Parts & Sales/B&B Machinery Movers/Rev-X Oil machine, edging out first practice leader Jacob Wilson by just .003 of a second on the overall time sheets with a best lap of 12.096 seconds (74.405 mph).

Wilson was third (12.099/74.386), followed by Tom Jewell and Charlie Schultz.

Of the top-five fastest cars in practice, all but Jewell set their quick lap in the second round of hot laps. Jewell's best time came during the first session.

Hamilton Trucking Time Trials for the Must See Racing Sprint Car Series are scheduled to kick off at 5:30 p.m. local time.

PRACTICE RESULTS: Must See Racing Sprint Car Series; Rockford Speedway; July 28, 2018

Hot Laps (best overall time): 1. #8 – Anthony McCune, 11.855; 2. #88 – Jimmy McCune, 12.096; 3. #07 – Jacob Wilson, 12.099; 4. #7 – Tom Jewell, 12.573; 5. #9s – Charlie Schultz, 12.590; 6. #72s – Joe Speakman, 12.713; 7. #81 – Johnny Petrozelle III, 12.737; 8. #26 – Jeff Bloom, 12.738; 9. #75c – Jerry Caryer, 12.917; 10. #8a – Adam Biltz, 13.055; 11. #4L – Anthony Linkenhoker, 14.064

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Jacob Seelman
Freelance Writer
Series Announcer for Must See Racing

OREGON, Wis. – After four years of blood, sweat, tears, heartache and close calls, Bobby Santos III finally picked up his first-career Must See Racing Sprint Car Series victory on Friday night at Madison Int'l Speedway.

Santos and car owner Dick Fieler, who joined forces at the start of the 2015 season, had done everything but with a Must See Racing feature. During America's Winged Tailgate Party at the semi-banked, half-mile oval, everything finally came together for the former NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour champion.

PHOTOS CREDIT TO: Chris Seelman

The Franklin, Mass., native was the fast qualifier for the night at 15.037 seconds, but rolled a six on the inversion die and lined up for the initial start on the outside of the third row.

However, after polesitter Charlie Schultz spun during warm-ups for the feature and then fourth-starting Jacob Wilson smacked the wall when outside pole-man Johnny Petrozelle III spun the tires coming to the green flag, Santos ended up on the outside of the second row when the 30-lap feature finally kicked off.

Anthony McCune jumped into the lead when the green flag waved, having inherited the top starting spot after Schultz's spin, and quickly engaged into a torrid tug-of-war battle for the lead with his uncle, three-time defending series champion Jimmy McCune.

Though Jimmy McCune won the series' inaugural visit to Rockford in 2016 and appeared to have the better car at times, Anthony McCune held every advance from his uncle at bay, maintaining the lead as Santos started to close in on both of them.

Santos wrestled second away from Jimmy McCune on lap 11, then made his move for the lead three circuits later, when Anthony McCune got hung up trying to lap the slower car of Adam Biltz.

Rolling the extreme bottom groove of the speedway, Santos charged to the inside of the younger McCune, seized control of the race and never looked back.

Not even a green-white checkered restart, set up after Petrozelle spun in turn two with two laps left, could keep Santos out of victory lane.

He timed his jump perfectly when the green flag waved for the last time, pulling Jimmy McCune by five car lengths and ultimately crossing the finish line nearly two seconds in front when the twin checkers were displayed over the field.

"This feels really good," said Santos in victory lane. "I've had a major learning curve in these things, but we've gotten better with each race we've run. I have to thank Dick (Fieler) and my team for the job they've done and the effort they've put in. We've spent a lot of time chasing these guys (the McCunes). They've been the class of the field and as far as I'm concerned they're the guys to beat each night.

"To finally win one against them feels really special, but now we've got to back it up (in the future)."

For Fieler, Friday night's win marked his first Must See Racing victory since Troy DeCaire swept the season finale at Berlin Raceway on Aug. 23, 2014.

"It's hard to win in this series and this is a win I know we'll cherish as a group for a long time," noted Fieler. "We've struggled to learn how to run American Racer tires, but I think maybe we've finally got something figured out because that was a stellar race tonight. Bobby did a great job and this exactly the kind of result we hope for each night. I couldn't be happier."

McCune came home as the runner-up to extend his series points lead, but admitted after the race that motor issues kept him from mounting a charge on the final restart.

"I didn't really try there on that last green flag," admitted McCune. "I was fighting some gremlins with the car and it was running really hot. The water temperature was fluctuating around 20 degrees ... even before the race started, so I knew something wasn't right. When he (Santos) got by, I just got by Anthony and then cruised ... because I didn't want to blow a hose off or hurt the motor."

Anthony McCune completed the podium, followed by Petrozelle, who was the last car on the lead lap in fourth and made his first appearance in the No. 81 for veteran car owner Mike Blake on Friday night.

Jerry Caryer finished fifth ahead of Schultz, Tom Jewell and Biltz. Eight cars were running at the finish.

The Must See Racing Sprint Car Series concludes its Western Swing on Saturday night at Illinois' Rockford Speedway. Brian Gerster won last year's Must See Racing stop at the historic quarter-mile.

RESULTS: Must See Racing Sprint Car Series; Madison Int'l Speedway; July 27, 2018

1-800-RADIATOR A-Feature (30 laps): 1. #22a – Bobby Santos III [6]; 2. #88 – Jimmy McCune [5]; 3. #8 – Anthony McCune [3]; 4. #81 – Johnny Petrozelle III [2]; 5. #75c – Jerry Caryer [8]; 6. #9 – Charlie Schultz [1]; 7. #7 – Tom Jewell [7]; 8. #8a – Adam Biltz [9]; 9. #72s – Joe Speakman [10]]; 10. #26 – Jeff Bloom [11]; 11. #07w – Jacob Wilson [4]; 12. #4L – Anthony Linkenhoker [12].

Hamilton Trucking Time Trials (best of two laps): 1. #22a – Bobby Santos III, 15.037; 2. #88 – Jimmy McCune, 15.099; 3. #07 – Jacob Wilson, 15.266; 4. #8 – Anthony McCune, 15.399; 5. #81 – Johnny Petrozelle III, 15.614; 6. #9s – Charlie Schultz, 15.616; 7. #7 – Tom Jewell, 15.706; 8. #75c – Jerry Caryer, 16.010; 9. #8a – Adam Biltz, 16.093; 10. #72s – Joe Speakman, 16.159; 11. #26b – Jeff Bloom, 16.596; 12. #4L – Anthony Linkenhoker, 20.112.

Abe's Auto Parts Heat Race #1 (8 laps): 1. Adam Biltz, 2. Jerry Caryer, 3. Joe Speakman, 4. Tom Jewell, 5. Jeff Bloom (DNS) 6. Anthony Linkenhoker (DNS).

Abe's Auto Parts Heat Race #2 (8 laps): 1. Jacob Wilson, 2. Anthony McCune, 3. Bobby Santos III, 4. Jimmy McCune, 5. Charlie Schultz, 6. Johnny Petrozelle III.

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Jacob Seelman
Freelance Writer
Series Announcer for Must See Racing