Matt Kobyluk Wins Again in Wild Camping World East Race

It was a wild and crazy night in the Adirondack mountains, but in the end, Matt Kobyluk again reigned supreme.  This is the second victory in a row for the Mohegan Sun driver, who won last week's race in Nashville. 

The Edge Hotel 150 got off to a rocky start, with practice interrupted several times by rain.  Twenty-five cars showed up at the track in the hills of upstate New York, so all were guaranteed a spot in the field.

Trevor Bayne, winner of the race two weeks ago, led practice in his Dale Earnhardt Chevrolet.  He posted a fast time of 107.643 miles per hour.  Close on his heels was teammate Jeffrey Earnhardt, the grandson of Dale Earnhardt, Jr. and son of Kerry Earnhardt.  Bryon Chew was back at track this week and rounded out the top three in practice.

Qualifying went off without a hitch after another rainy period.  Bryon Chew took the pole with a lap of 109.296—quite a pick up from practice.  Austin Dillon, grandson of Richard Childress, posted the second fastest lap and Trevor Bayne followed in third.  Peyton Sellers, Andy Santerre's driver, secured the fourth starting spot, and Jeffrey Earnhardt qualified in the fifth position.

The race went green with cars racing three wide.  But by lap 16, there were reports of rain.  The weather took its toll and part-time New Jersey driver James Pritchard, Jr. took a spin as the track became soaked.  The race was red flagged for rain at lap 24. 

After an hour-long rain delay, the engines were fired back up and the race proceeded under caution.  Several cars pitted and just when the cars were ready to go back racing, several drivers complained of wet spots all around the track.  The race went green again on lap 44, with Peyton Sellers in the lead.

The second caution flew on lap 51 as Jeffrey Earnhardt spun high off of turn four.  He was able to get himself going in the right direction and drove away without damage.

When the green flag flew again, Peyton Sellers in the No. 44 went to the lead, and kept it in spite of the third caution flag flying.

But on lap 87, former teammate Austin Dillon punted Peyton Sellers and he spun out of control off turn four.

It was all downhill for Sellers—and for many of the other drivers—as caution after caution flew.  Cars were wrecking everywhere, drivers and crews were yelling at each other, and race officials said they were "ready to open the penalty box."   Peyton Sellers was even ordered to the rear of the field for aggressive driving.

The race went green on lap 148 of the 150-lap race and it was utter chaos yet again.  The No. 30 car driven by Jeff Anton spun and took out Austin Dillon.  Then the No. 52 car of Jamie Hayes spun, collecting James Pritchard Jr. who was limping along just trying to finish the race.

Through the smoke and the wrecked cars, the lone Mohegan drove to the finish line.  Big Matt Kobyluk was again a victor, followed by Trevor Bayne, one of the hottest young drivers on the circuit.  Austin Dillon rebounded to come in third.  Eddie McDonald, who had been lurking in the top 10 all night, had a great finish in fourth.  And the No. 8 car of Jeffrey Earnhardt rounded out the top five.

Tempers flew, cars spun, drivers and teams fought.  But in the end, Matt Kobyluk stood alone again to take the checkered flag.  As he continues to stalk young Austin Dillon for the championship, he will next face the road course of Lime Rock in his home state of Connecticut.

With two wins under his belt and a hometown battle ahead, there is no doubt that Kobyluk has the head table at the championship banquet—fittingly held at the Mohegan Sun Casino and Resort—even more closely in his sites.