Max Reaves Wins Hart to Heart 100, Vito Cancilla Claims World Series PLM Title

Max Reaves won the Hart to Heart 100 in dominant fashion at New Smyrna Speedway, while Vito Cancilla walked away with the Pro Late Model championship for the World Series of Asphalt Stock Car Racing.

Reaves dominated Thursday's Pro Late Model race. The Joe Gibbs Racing development driver took the lead eight laps into the contest, and did not relinquish the top spot fro teh remainder of the 100-lap contest.

"You know, I've got to thank the Hart family for doing everything that they do," said Reaves in victory lane. "I've got to thank my dad, Matt, my crew chief, Buggy, I owe all this to him. This car was so fast, I didn't have to work. I didn't do anything."

In Reaves' eyes, his greatest challenge came under caution. He expressed his displeasure with Raphael Lessard during his post-race interview for contact under caution.

"This 48, I don't know what his issue was. A lot of bumping under yellow. A little weird. I guess you've got to do what you've got to do to try to beat us, you know. They couldn't beat us, they've got to try to cut our tire down, I guess."

Lessard finished second, capping off an eventful week. Last year's Milton CAT American-Canadian Tour champion scored a victory during the week, but also battled some rough racing and mechanical issues along the way.

"It's a pretty amazing experience, I would say. First week being a car owner, so that was really special. Man, this thing is beat up. I think we need to give it some love when we get back to Quebec.

"I think we proved that we can compete against these big, big teams. My aerodynamics and downforce were gone after the first race. I was very tight on the long run."

As for the contact under yellow, Lessard felt he was not left much room to maneuver alongside Reaves. He also said he didn't have the necessary speed to compete with Reaves on Thursday night.

"He doesn't leave that much room under caution, when we get side-by-side. Maybe a couple of beating and banging. He was just way faster. His restart was super slow, so I had to start in first gear. I didn't want to break another transmission. Big thank you to Jimmy Renfrew for giving me a chance to keep my Speedweek going."

Conner Jones finished third in the final Pro Late Model event of the World Series, capping off a week that saw the Virginia driver bounce between two cars trying to find speed.

"We pulled a backup car out after the first night, and it really wasn't as good. I thought, after practice, everything was going to be just as good and everything, and it wasn't anywhere close in the race.

"We pulled the other car out with the bent upper plate. We shimmed it up and made it work, and she turned out to be pretty good. It got a little freer there at the end, but all my guys, man, they really worked."

Vito Cancilla lifted the Pro Late Model World Series championship, although it was a bittersweet finale. Involved in multiple incidents during the 100-lap feature, Cancilla finished 20th on the evening. Despite the poor finish, he placed ahead of fellow title contender Cole Robie to secure the title.

"Even though we have a pretty damaged car, I'm pretty sure we still got the championship," said Cancilla. "At what cost did we get it? We got the championship, so there's a positive to all this negative here.

"It's definitely going to help my career, going up through the ranks. I'm definitely going to win a little bit from here. It's a good start to get my name out there. We'll keep going from here."

Gabriel Casagrande finished fourth, while Nicholas Naugle rounded out the top five.

-Photo: Screenshot from FloRacing broadcast

Hart to Heart 100 Unofficial Results