By Adam Fenwick-NASCAR Media
Derek Griffith became the first driver since Pete Orr in 1994 to win back-to-back Super Late Model titles at New Smyrna Speedway s World Series of Asphalt Stock Car Racing. Photo: Jim Dupont/NASCAR
NEW SMYRNA BEACH, Fla. – Stephen Nasse won the big race, but Derek Griffith will again wear the crown.
Nasse led every lap of the annual Orange Blossom 100 that closed out the week for the Super Late Model division, allowing him to complete a sweep of the 100-lap features for the Super Late Model and Pro Late Model divisions at Florida’s New Smyrna Speedway on consecutive days.
And the long wait for the last few laps was worth every second, especially for Max Gutiérrez.
The 18-year-old ARCA Menards Series East rookie from Mexico City, Mexico, passed both Taylor Gray and Sammy Smith on the final stretch of the last lap of the 2021 opener to win a three-wide photo finish. Not a bad way for one to earn his first victory on the ARCA Menards platform.
“The last corner, they were battling for first,” Gutiérrez said after the race of his move to steal the win from Gray and Smith, the latter of whom was attempting to pass the former in turn 4 before the No. 30 ToughBuilt Ford entered the equation. “I saw an opportunity, and I took it.