ROCKINGHAM — Nick Abbott made history Saturday as the first driver to win back-to-back competitions since the MB Drift Series made the move to Rockingham Speedway.
Abbott, a 23-year-old from Henderson, placed first in the season’s inaugural round, “Back in the Ring,” last month.
Click here to read about Round 1.
In a sense of deja vu, the final tandem battle in Round 2 — dubbed “All the Smoke” — came down to Abbott and 2021 season winner Joe Busam, with Abbott getting the win again. No. 1 qualifier Tevin Baysa placed third.
A man of few words, Abbott described his consecutive wins as “Amazing…awesome.”
According to MB Drift co-founder Marshall Eggerling, 41 drivers ran the Dale Lane course — a layout in the shape of the number 3, named in honor of the late Dale Earnhardt Sr. — in qualifying, but there was only space for the top 32 on the bracket.
Formula Drift PROSPEC driver Alex Lichliter served as guest judge for the event.
On his way to the top, Abbott — who qualified fourth — first outslid Tony Martin and Drew Riggins, the latter being the Round 1 winner in 2022. The win over Riggins involved a “one-more-time.”
Abbott then went head-to-head with Cameron Griffin — after his win over Saturday’s only female competitive driver, Olivia Walsh — before rounding off against Baysa then Busam.
Busam, who qualified 11th, won tandems against Kyle Vanderpool, Paul Smith, 2022 season winner Justin Bauer, and Said “Bussin” Maharramov — losing his rear bumper in the latter battle.
Baysa’s car was pushed a little harder than the others as it was also driven by Derick Gaskins, who had mechanical issues with his Corvette, in his initial run against Chad Campbell.
Abbott said his runs against Busam were challenging, “because I know he’s a really good driver.” However, he added that the do-over with Riggins was his hardest match-up.
Prior to this event, MB Drift organizers announced that the season winner would receive a championship belt, in addition to the monetary prize.
In a post-event video, MB Drift team member Zachary Sebald said the driving this past weekend was some of the best the series has seen.
“Each event, it just gets better and better and better,” Sebald said. “It just goes to show that each driver is progressing … that’s what it’s all about.”
Although the qualifying rounds started later than scheduled, those at the speedway were able to see the cars (and one truck) from Stock Car Classics round the mile-long oval. Click here to see those photos.
Abbott isn’t the only driver to have consecutive wins at the iconic track since it reopened in 2021.
Last fall, Justin Ball rolled across the finish line for his second win at the Rock in the FASS Big Rig Series. Click here to read that story.
Likewise, Matthew “Mad Dog” Davey has taken the checkered flag twice in the Allison Legacy Race Series on the road course — both times at the speedway’s open house. Click here to read about Davey’s most recent win.
Following the first win, Abbott said he was aiming to take all four rounds.
He’s halfway there — and well on his way to winning the season championship.
“I want to get that belt.”
The RO will have more photos from “All the Smoke” later in the week.
CORRECTION: This story has been edited to correct name misspellings. 1:07 p.m. 6-20-23
