LUCAMA, NC – P.J. Flowers finds himself without a win as the 2017 regular season heads for the homestretch at Southern National Motorsports Park after scoring five wins last season.
The 30-year-old from Clayton, North Carolina finished second in points to teammate Ronnie “Buckshot” Jones last season and picked up an impressive five wins. This season, Flowers has yet to score a victory. However, thanks to a second place finish on March 26th and a third place finish back in May, the last time a Mini Stock race was able to be completed, Flowers finds himself second in points to Jones once again.
“I should have won that race back in March,” Flowers said. “I led 24 and a half laps in the first race. Qualifying has hurt me. Last race we ran, qualifying hurt me. If I can figure out how to qualify on these Hoosiers, I think we’ll be okay. We’ve got a fast car when it comes to race time. Last time, I thought we had a car that could win the race, we just had to start so far back, we couldn’t get there in time.”
Currently in the runner-up spot and in familiar territory, Flowers is once again in pursuit of Jones as he looks to get his first win of the year and erase the six point deficit he has in division standings.
“I still think we have a chance,” Flowers remarked. “I haven’t really been points racing. I blew the motor in the second race and I think that hurt me a lot. I haven’t been points racing but I have been looking at it more lately. I know Buckshot’s always going to be strong. Our cars are a lot alike and it’s hard to beat your own car. But I think if we can get some solid finishes and finish ahead of Buckshot a little bit, I think we have a shot at it.”
Last season was Flowers’ first season racing at Southern National Motorsports Park since the track closed back in 2008 before being sold to current track owner Michael Diaz. He began racing in 2003 in the Mini Stock division before moving up to Limited Late Models in 2005. In 2006, Flowers won a Limited Late Model championship at Southern National Motorsports Park.
Now, if Flowers hopes to win a Mini Stock division championship, he will have just three more chances to pick up a victory and close in on defending champion Buckshot Jones. Flowers’ next chance will come on Friday night when the Mini Stocks race for 25 laps as part of the StottStrong 195 presented by Solid Rock Carriers.
The Late Models, Chargers, Any Cars, Legends and Bandoleros will also be in action on Friday night. The StottStrong195 presented by Solid Rock Carriers will go green at 8:30pm.
| MINI STOCK STANDINGS (TOP-FIVE) | |
| Driver | Points |
| 1.) Buckshot Jones | 92 |
| 2..) P.J. Flowers | -6 |
| 3.) Thomas Brander | -7 |
| 4.) Joseph Pittman | -21 |
| 5.) Duane Walker | -28 |
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