TAMPA, Fla. -- Forced to wait ten extra days due to Mother Nature’s inability to cooperate, “Sunshine” Tyler Courtney fell right into his old ways on Monday evening at East Bay Raceway Park in Tampa, Florida, and scored himself the first FloRacing All Star Circuit of Champions presented by Mobil 1 victory of the 2022 season, finally commencing the Classic Ink USA Screenprinting and Embroidery Southern Swing presented by Elliott’s Custom Trailers and Carts.

Courtney’s triumph, resulting in a $6,000 payday, was accomplished from the inside of row two, forced to stalk down outside pole sitter and Sam McGhee Motorsports entry, Kerry Madsen, while simultaneously fending off pressure from KCP Racing’s Gio Scelzi. A series of early race cautions proved to be a struggle for Courtney, but once the Indianapolis, Indiana, native and defending All Star champion found his rhythm and took command on lap 15, utilizing a power move to drive underneath the “Madman” at the exit of turn four, the race was done in its tracks.

Kerry Madsen held on to finish second in the Classic Ink Southern Swing presented by Elliott’s Custom Trailers and Carts opener at East Bay, followed by Gio Scelzi, Brent Marks, and Justin Peck.

“I knew we had a little bit better car than Kerry (Madsen), but I also had to be careful not to show him my line, especially if another caution would’ve come out. Kerry is a hard racer, but we just had to be patient and it all worked out,” said Tyler Courtney, now a nine-time All Star winner aboard the Clauson Marshall Racing/NOS Energy Turbo/No. 7BC sprint car. “To start off the year on the right foot is key, especially if it’s getting a win this early in the season. We definitely have this team heading in the right direction, so we’ll head back here tomorrow and try it again.”

UP NEXT:
The Classic Ink USA Southern Swing presented by Elliott’s Custom Trailers and Carts will continue with another round at East Bay Raceway Park on Tuesday, February 15. Action is set to begin with hot laps at 6:15 p.m.

For more information such as gate times and ticket prices, please visit East Bay Raceway Park online at www.ebrp.co.

Once action in Florida is complete, the FloRacing All Star Circuit of Champions presented by Mobil 1 will take a seven-week hiatus before resuming the 2022 season with a doubleheader at Attica Raceway Park in Attica, Ohio, on Friday and Saturday, April 8-9. The Core and Main Spring Nationals, awarding $6,000 each night, will officially launch the All Star points championship.