Fantasy Cup 2022 - Race 1 - Florence Motor Speedway

[Razorback 46]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5JeU0pYk0dg



DK: What is Glory? Is it a golden trophy we place on a shelf to remind us of past triumph? Is it a sign of being the absolute best in your field? Or perhaps, is it a testament to the late nights, the perseverance, and the ingenuity to conquer what some may call an unattainable goal? Some say that glory is the culmination of a journey fraught with heartache, despair, and an undying urge to survive and thrive. Today, for 11 drivers, the 7-week journey begins. It's the 2026 Fantasy Cup Series season and it about to get underway!

https://jumpshare.com/share/oFVSfNkWuQn4lcnP4tSQ

DK: It's a beautiful day for racing in the Palmetto State and 11 Fantasy Cup drivers are on the grid waiting to earn their chance at glory. Hello, everyone, I'm Dave Knight and joining me is 3-time NASCAR champion and Hall of Famer, Darrell Waltrip. Welcome to the Florence Motor Speedway for the Ball Park 200!

DW: And Dave, I think you summed it up perfectly in the opening. You gotta dig and claw your way to the top in racing and, oh yeah, you've got 10 other competitors willing to do the same.

DK: And it all starts with the flip of a switch and the roar of engines. Let's go trackside for our opening ceremonies.

Ladies and gentlemen, plaese rise and remove your hats as the United States Field Band and Soldiers' Chorus perform our national anthem.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DADmZdbQ9x8

And now, race fans, for the most famous words in motorsports, please welcome our grand marshal, AEW superstar and South Carolina native Paul Wight!

PW: Drivers, start your engines!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DiOPmD5NU6U

DK: And now, here's the starting lineup for the Ball Park 200!



DK: On the pole is the GM Performance Chevy of "Rattlesnake" Randy McGillicuddy alongside the Hobgoblin IPA Chevy of Ken Wallace making his return to the series.



DK: Row 2 is 2-time series champion Sheldon Hatterfield in the NOS Energy Ford with the Johnny's Cafe Chevy of Ace Jones to his outside.



DK: On the 3rd row, it's Kim Johnson in her #42c Chevrolet alongside 2013 Series champ JR "Razorback" Sealey.



DK: 4th row inside is the 00 DeWitt Trucking Buick of Dude Watson and the Valvoline Ford Thunderbird of the inaugural FAST Modified champion "Rattlecan Dan" Donato DiRenzo.



DK: The 5th row is the Krispy Kreme Buick of Amy "Hollywood" Hilton and Atomic Speedway veteran Steve "Volzfan59" Hutson in the #1 Bull's Eye Ford.



DK: And shotgun on the field is 2020 series champ and patriarch of the BrewDog racing family, Keith Wallace.



Green Flag

DW: Boogity boogity boogity! Let's go racin; in 2026, boys and girls!

DK: And a rocky start for McGillicuddy! Ken Wallace has the advantage going into turns 1 and 2. Kim Johnson in the 3rd row manages to pull to the outside and McGillicuddy gathers it up and ends up about midway in the pack.

DW: Dave, it looked like he may have missed a shift there.

DK: And it cost him as Ken Wallace gets shuffled to the outside by Ace Jones. He'll bring that 2 car out of turn 4 and down to the line to lead the first lap in 2026!

Lap 53

DW: I think Hilton's got the 17 in a bad spot. He's been real loose lateley. He's not gonna be able to hot it on the inside.

DK: And he's gonna slide up in front of Hilton but the back steps out a little too much but he gathers it up. Amy Hilton shoots to the inside to claim the 4th spot behind Kim Johnson.

Lap 77

DK: And we've got trouble down the front stretch! The Buick of Dude Watson with smoke pouring out from under the hood! His power plant is quiet as he coasts back to the pit area. Huge blow in the opening event of 2026.

Lap 94

DW: And we've got a pileup in turn 3! I think that's the 17 of Hatterfield!

DK: He's had trouble all race long and his Ford finally snapped loose and unfortunately caught Steve Hutson in the left rear. Hutson's going to be able to make it to the infield but the rear tires are way offset. Obviously a broken track bar on the #1 machine.

DW: Sheldon's climbing out of his car as the fans show their support. Glad he's OK. No walls here except the front stretch and that was a rough ride out onto the grass.

Lap 127

DW: Man, Keith Wallace has done a heck of a job avoiding those wrecks and fighting his way from the back. He's up to 4th.

Lap 169

DK: And Amy "Hollywood" Hilton just made a daring dive to the inside of Kim Johnson. Johnson unable to throw the block at the apex of turns 1 and 2. Hilton to the lead!

White Flag

DK: And we've got 1 lap to go here at Florence. Hilton has not looked back after taking the lead. She's got about a 5 car length advatage as she charges through turns 1 and 2 for the final time.

DW: And Keith Wallace just regained 4th from Rattlecan Dan after losing it a few laps ago.

DK: Through turns 3 and 4. The Krispy Kreme Buick of Amy Hilton as gonna come down to the line to win the Ball Park 200!



DW: Man, what a way to start this season off! She may be #0 in the program but Hollywood was #1 on the board today!

DK: And an impressive race by 4th place finisher Keith Wallace. He drove from the back like the champion he is. And now we conclude today's event. For Darrell Waltrip, I'm Dave Knight. Thank you so much for joining us and we go dirt racing next week in Charlotte for the Bank of America 100!

[Brian Conn]

DK: And we've got trouble down the front stretch! The Buick of Dude Watson with smoke pouring out from under the hood! His power plant is quiet as he coasts back to the pit area. Huge blow in the opening event of 2026.

I can't understand that pushin' rod goin' out on me like that, again!