Thread: QUALIFYING: Rhodes, Larson Earn Heat Wins

QUALIFYING: Rhodes, Larson Earn Heat Wins
Coin Toss Gives Pole To Kentucky Driver

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Kyle Larson and Ben Rhodes won the two NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Late Model qualifying heat races for the UNOH Battle At The Beach on Monday at Daytona International Speedway.
Rhodes, out of Louisville, Ky., claimed the pole position as a result of a coin toss between the two heat winners. By choosing the inside position the entire field from the second heat followed in order of their finish to make up the inside column for the main event.
In the first heat Larson outdueled Anthony Anders, the Whelen All-American Series state champion for South Carolina. Virginia’s C.E. Falk was third followed by Mike Looney in fourth and Jake Engle in fifth.
Rhodes won the second qualifying heat followed by Trey Gibson and Myatt Snider. Kaz Grala followed in fourth while 2012 Whelen All-American Series national champion Lee Pullium finished fifth.

The second heat also provided a little drama after Coleman Pressley, who was fastest in two of the three practice sessions earlier in the day, was penalized for aggressive driving for causing Pulliam to spin on Lap 12 of the 25-lap event and sent to the back of the field. Pressley, however, was able to rebound to finish sixth.
The feature race for the late models is scheduled for a 7:15 p.m. start. Coverage on SPEED and MRN will begin at 7 p.m. this evening.