Grant Pearl had grown tired of second place.
The Anniston, Alabama, native and NeSmith Crate Late Models regular had finished second three times in as many races entering action Saturday night, including a second-place finish to Evan Ellis two weeks ago at Magnolia Motor Speedway.
On Saturday, it appeared Pearl would add yet another runner-up finish to his streak, but he passed Jeremy Shaw on the final lap to clinch the NeSmith Late Models win.
Pearl said his run wasn’t perfect, but a commitment to the lowest line on the track helped him get around Shaw, who ran the highest line possible for most of the race.
“I was too tight in the center, and I was having to be perfect going through there and really break my car loose, which was killing my car on the exits,” Pearl said. “I finally found me a little rhythm there where I could drive in real deep and still push out on the center there and keep my momentum up.
“I knew I’d have to be perfect there those last few laps to try and catch him. I’ve lost them on the last lap here lately, so it feels good to finally get one back on the last lap.”
Shaw, who has one win at Magnolia this season, said his team tried a new setup but probably went a bit far with its adjustments. While his car was one of the few that could consistently hug the wall and still turn fast laps, the grip started to loosen in the last few laps, he said.
“I was getting tighter and just got to where I couldn’t make as consistent of a lap,” Shaw said. “I was having to work harder through the corner, and I knew I was messing up a little bit.
“I didn’t really know how good it would be up there, and it kind of felt the same most of the race. I think toward the end, I just got my tires too hot. I think that kind of slowed me down more than anything.”
Shaw said he didn’t know Pearl was gaining ground until the final pass in turn two. Shaw had checked up a bit in the higher line, which allowed Pearl to complete the pass.
“By that time, it was too late,” Shaw said. “Usually, I’m not this disappointed with second, but when you lose it like that on the last lap, it’s tough to deal with.”
While Shaw found success on the higher line, Pearl abandoned it after a couple of laps. He said he’d opted for a soft right front shock and spring, and driving the higher line forced him to drive the right front harder than he wanted to.
“The further I got up the track and the more speed I carried, it seemed like it hurt it worse,” Pearl said. “It was a bit choppy getting in the corner on three and four the higher you got. Plus, (Shaw) was running up there, so I had to go somewhere.”
Kyle Shaw, Chad McCool, and Randall Beckwith rounded out the top five.
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