Tristan McKee dominated qualifying at Martinsville on Friday night, setting the fastest time out of 83 cars and establishing a new track record during the preliminary heats for the ValleyStar Credit Union 300. The 16-year-old driver, who was the last car to take time, put down a blistering 19.550, a time that was faster than the previous track record, with the top five all exceeding the old mark.
McKee was followed closely by Corey Heim, the Brickyard 400 winner, who clocked 19.568. Dillon Harville, a local competitor from Kernersville, North Carolina, secured third place with a 19.610, while Caden Kvapil, the Virginia Triple Crown and CARS Late Model Stock points leader, finished fourth with 19.622. All four drivers will start on the pole for their respective heat races on Saturday.
Heim, who took provisional pole before McKee surpassed him, admitted that second place was still a strong showing. Harville emphasized that his focus was purely on the Grandfather Clock, stating he cared more about Martinsville than any championship. Kvapil, meanwhile, stressed that starting on the pole in the heat races is crucial for controlling the action and setting up a strong run in the 200-lap main event.
Source: Short Track Scene