June 1
Virginia Motor Speedway,
Jamaica, VA
Sanction: Vision Wheel Steel Block Bandit Series (Mark Batten Memorial) - $10,000
Information provided by: Series and track reports (last updated June 7, 1:03 am)
Mitchell's woes lift Erwin to win Batten Memorial
Mark Batten Memorial
- Russell Erwin
- Tyler Bare
- Jamie Lathroum
- Blake Craft
- Jeremy Pilkerton
- Michael Batten
- Matt Glanden
- Hunter Kohn
- Tyler Arrington
- Dan Breuer
- Timmy Blackwell
- Landen Zakalowski
- Josh Pierce
- Matt Cochran
- Joe Radford
- Ricky Wells
- Derrick Rankin
- Derick Quade
- Josh Harris
- Doug Penny
- Robbie Emory
- Josh Canipe
- Dustin Mitchell
- Billy Tucker
- Kenny Moreland
presented by
Zack Kloosterman/ZSK Photography
Russell Erwin celebrates in victory lane at Virginia Motor Speedway.
What won the race: Taking control after early leader Dustin Mitchell retired with mechanical failure, pole-starting Russell Erwin of Beaverdam, Va., led the final 22 laps to win Saturday's $10,000 Mark Batten Memorial at Virginia Motor Speedway. Erwin earned his third Vision Wheel Steel Block Bandits Series victory of the season and the fifth of his career.
Key notes: The second-starting Mitchell, of Pine Level, N.C., led the opening 18 laps before pulling off on the 19th circuit. He was gunning for the weekend sweep after winning Friday's $4,000 opener at Dixieland Speedway in Elizabeth City, N.C. ... Sixth-starting Tyler Bare grabbed the runner-up spot on the lap-28 restart and trailed Erwin the rest of the way, finishing 0.558 of a second back. ... Jamie Lathroum improved six positions and completed the podium aboard Bruce Kane's Rocket Chassis. ... Thirteenth-starting Jeremy Pilkerton rounded out the top-five finishers after Derick Quade slowed from fifth on the final lap. Quade, the reigning series champ, was credited with 18th. ... The Batten Memorial feature was slowed by seven separate incidents and lasted 39 minutes, with 20 drivers running at the checkers. ... Garrett Donnell scratched after time trials.
On the move: Matt Glanden of Denton, Md., started 17th and finished seventh.
Winner's sponsors: Erwin’s Rocket Chassis carries sponsorship from Erwin Racing Supply, Motion Sensors, High Farms, Possum Quarter Farms, Fritz’s Car Care, Power Source, Collins Signs, M&L Grocery, Whitten Brothers, Thomas Clarke Performance, Skippy Johnson Motorsports, Schaeffer’s Racing Oil, Beyea Custom Headers, Swift Springs, Hoosier Tire Mid Atlantic, Penske Racing Shocks by JDS and Collins Signs.
Points chase: After VMS: 1. Russell Erwin (373); 2. Tyler Bare (363); 3. Blake Craft (315); 4. Dan Breuer (312); 5. Robbie Emory (308).
Current weather: Clear, 63°F
Car count: 26
Fast qualifier: Russell Erwin
Time: 18.509 seconds
Polesitter: Russell Erwin
Heat race winners: Russell Erwin, Dustin Mitchell, Michael Batten
Next series race: June 15, Talladega Short Track (Eastaboga, AL) $7,526
Editor's note: Results and race details are unofficial.
