ASA Southern Super Series Championship to be Decided at Five Flags Twin Bill

The season-long fight for the ASA Southern Super Series crown will come down to the final race weekend at Five Flags Speedway in Pensacola, Florida on September 22nd and 23rd. Only 23 points separate Giovanni Ruggiero and Matt Craig for the potential championship. It’s been a close battle as both drivers have completed 1171 of the 1175 laps this season.

“Whoever wins the Southern Super Series championship is going to earn it,” said Tim Bryant, General Manager of the Southern Super Series. “Our schedule has been a long and challenging one this year with events being rained out and trips all across the southeast. In a way you could say to win the championship you had to go the extra mile to finish our schedule.”

Ruggiero is a Super Late Model rookie for Wilson Motorsports and could be earning his first touring series Super Late Model championship.

“We have really seen Ruggiero blossom into a Super Late Model threat each week,” added Bryant. “He’s been in the mix every week and his win at Hickory was a proving point that he can get the job done.”

Craig is a seasoned veteran who has already claimed regional crowns in PASS, CARS Tour and PRA in the Super Late Model ranks. He’d be the first to win all four if he can gain the required points at Five Flags.

“Matt Craig has good speed week in and week out,” added Bryant. “There was a four-race stretch where they started third or better each week. They have led 138 laps and if they can find that setup they could be tough over a two-night average.

Behind the front two sits Michael Hinde in third, 77 points out of the lead and Jett Noland in fourth, 87 markers back. Although they still mathematically have a chance at the title, it’s more than likely a head-to-head fight for third in the final standings among these two.

The rest of the top 10 drivers will look to maintain their position as there is a provisional spot awarded to the highest remaining team in points at the Snowball Derby. If the Southern Super Series Champion qualifies into the top 30 then the provisional moves down the ladder in the top 10 until it's awarded.

The track's Blizzard Series will also crown their champion during the weekend as Jeremey Doss looks to be the surprise champion after a win and podium finish in the first two events.

The ASA Southern Super Series will be back in action for the doubleheader weekend on September 22nd and September 23rd at Five Flags Speedway in Pensacola, Florida. The series will run 100-lap races each night and they will be the final two points events of the season.

-ASA Southern Super Series Release
-Photo credit: Will Bellamy/Racing America