Masters
Nash Motorsportz Masters Max
Saturday Report
2013 champion Donald Durbin Jr. used consistency to earn the
title a year ago, and he backed it up with his first series victory
to begin his title defense on a solid note. A host of drivers were
within a tenth of a second to begin the 15-minute qualifying ses-
sion. Series newcomer Kurt Fisher (CRG) came out with the top spot
after the halfway point, and that’s when drivers began hitting the
pit lane. Returning Masters driver John Crow (Tony Kart) was one
of the those drivers able to improve after making adjustments, but
came up short and was forced to pull off the track with a loose rear
bumper. Fisher’s 52.575 would stand to the checkered flag for the
pole position. Brian Phillipsen (Tony Kart) was second in the order,
only two-hundredths of a second off the pole position. Crow was
not far off in third with defending series champion Durbin (Birel)
and Justin Peck (Tony Kart) completing the fast five.
The start was clean but wild to begin the Masters Max battle
as Fisher led the field to the green flag, but it would be reigning
champ Durbin coming away with the lead as the field crossed the
line for the first time. Fisher fell to second with Ken Maxfield (Ar-
row) coming through as well, up from sixth to third. Durbin got an
advantage early while Fisher, Maxfield and Phillipsen slotted in
behind. Crow was dropped back to seventh on the opening lap
and steadily worked his way into the top-five and in to the group
racing for second. The group was shuffled up with Crow still mov-
ing forward and Fisher retiring on lap eight when he lost his chain.
That put Crow to second, about 1.5 seconds behind Durbin with
Maxfield feeling heat from Phillipsen. They would end the race that
way, with Durbin crossing the line just over one second ahead of
Crow. Larry Hayashigawa (Tony Kart) completed the top-five with
Peck retiring on lap 15.
Donald Durbin Jr.
