SESTS: Anthony Anders claims the victory at Tri County Motor Speedway

The Southeast Super Truck Series kicked off their first race of the year with a bang. Sixteen trucks took to the beautiful 4/10ths mile speedwayin Hudson, NC. It was 2016 Southeast Super Truck Series Winter Meltdown winner at Greenville Pickens Speedway, Anthony Anders, who paced the first practice. All the teams made adjustments to their trucks and came back out for the final round of practice. This time it was two-time Asheville Motor Speedway track champion, Martin Nesbitt, who was on top and Anders who was second, followed by Ahnna Parkhurst.

Qualifying rolled around and it was none other than last seasons champion, Lee Tissot who claimed the pole award, but after rolling a five, the top-five trucks were inverted. When the green flag fell, young Ricky Bowers paced the field to the start line with 2012 Hickory Motor Speedway Super Truck Track champion Jason Cochran on the outside. Cochran quickly began catching heat from Kevin Leicht, Tissot, and Anders in a four way battle for second place. Meanwhile Bowers was stretching his lead. Tissot finally made his way around Cochran and was setting his sights in on Bowers.

The first caution came out on lap 22 resulting from the exhaust coming apart and cutting down the right front tire on the No. 29 machine of Reece Smith. Bowers once again got another good start and started to get away, but series veteran Tissot would not let him get to far away before he caught him and was able to get around Bowers for the lead. Kevin Leicht, Anders were both able to get around Bowers and Cochran.

With ten to go, Anders was putting fierce heat on the rear bumper of Tissot but wasnt able to get around him. When Tissot took the white flag, it was just a few moments later coming out of turn four when everything started to get dicey, Anders was able to slide under Tissot and both made contact all down the front stretch resulting in Anders claiming the victory over Tissot in second, Bowers in third, Cochran in fourth, and Ed Surrett rounding out the top five.

The series will be heading into their second points race of the year at Anderson Motor Speedway in Williamston, SC on April 9th.

Qualifying Results