Chilly Willy 2023: Takeaways from Day 2 at Tucson Speedway
Adam Fenwick
(Photo: Rebecca Noble/NASCAR)
The 2023 edition of the Chilly Willy at Tucson Speedway continued Saturday with the second day of action at the three-eighths-mile asphalt oval.
Headlining the action was qualifying and a pair of 50-lap qualifying races that helped set the field for Sunday’s $10,000-to-win, 150-lap Super Late Model main event.
RELATED:Watch the 2023 Chilly Willy live on FloRacing
Joining the Super Late Model class Saturday were the Modifieds and two Legend car divisions. The Modifieds contested a 75-lap main event, the Legend car Semi-Pro/Young Lion class hit the track for 30 laps and the Legend car Pro/Masters division was in action for 35 laps.
Below are the takeaways from the second day of racing at Tucson.
The day opened with qualifying for the Super Late Model class, where the top-two competitors locked into Sunday’s 150-lap finale. Top honors went to Preston Peltier, who led the way with a 15.155-second lap. Sean Hingorani, driving for 2022 Snowball Derby winner Derek Thorn, qualified second to also lock into Sunday’s race.
Kole Raz powered to victory in the first 50-lap qualifying race. He took the lead on lap nine from Brandon Farrington and led the remainder of the distance, finishing 2.949 seconds clear of runner-up Andy Allen.
Also advancing to the Chilly Willy finale on Sunday from the first qualifying race were Zachary Riehl, Farrington, Bruce Yackey, Zander Peters, Brett Yackey, Dylan Jones, Barrett Polhemus and Blake Williams.
Opting to compete despite already being locked in to the Chilly Willy finale via his qualifying effort, Hingorani won the second 50-lap qualifying race after taking the lead from Jimmy Parker Jr. on the 17th circuit. Tristian Swanson was second after a side-by-side battle with Michael Scott in the final laps.
Also advancing to the Chilly Willy main event from the second qualifying race were Parker, Eddie Vecchiarelli, Kody Vanderwal, Rudy Vanderwal, Brandon Carlson, Darrell Midgley and Joe Paladenic.
Jaron Giannini survived a restart with six laps left to win the 75-lap Modified feature. Weston Marthaler finished 1.331 seconds behind Giannini in second, with Brian Harrington Jr., Branden Bonnett and Dominick Adams following.
Jake Bollman survived a challenge from ARCA Menards Series West competitor Tanner Reif to win the 35-lap Legend car Pro/Masters feature. Jordan Holloway crossed the finish line third ahead of Cody Brown and Brandon Giannini.
Bryceton Meyer dominated the 30-lap Legend car Semi-Pro/Young Lion feature, leading every lap on his way to Victory Lane. Tessa Marine was second, 0.742 seconds behind Meyer. Tanner Scarberry, Andrew Riehl and Alex Roe completed the top-five finishers.
Super Late Model drivers who failed to qualify for Sunday’s 150-lap finale will have one last opportunity to do so Sunday. A Last Chance Qualifier will be held prior to the main event, with the top-six finishers advancing to the finale.
The final day of racing during the Chilly Willy at Tucson Speedway will be available live at 3 p.m. ET/1 p.m. MT on FloRacing.