The Grand National Super Series Presented by ECC schedule is chock-full of amazing venues that provide fantastic racing. Tri-County Speedway in Granite Falls is no exception, a track so revered by competitors that it has held its place on the GNSS schedule since its inception in 2022.
New faces in familiar places was the common theme come Saturday. Chris Burns took over control of Bob Schacht’s #75, leaving Burns’ #19 to be driven by former Tri-County track champion Austin Harris. On the other side of the pits, Brandon Kinzer would fall ill overnight following Friday practice. Jacob Borst, already on property to help Kinzer and team dial in the #8 machine, gets the nod to wheel Kinzer’s machine. All of this on top of perennial contender AJ Henriksen having to step out another week due to a wrist injury sustained at Dominion Raceway.
Also being announced is returning car care product QuicShine99 partnering up with the GNSS. As part of the partnership with the tour, a QuicShine99 Clean Sweep Award is introduced for any driver that can take pole position and win both 50 lap races for a chance to win $250. The first candidate is none other than substitute Borst as he’ll take the ChaLew Performance Pole Award.
Burns will be the biggest beneficiary from the invert for race one, leading the hungry and competitive field to green. He’ll take the Bob Schacht Motorsports machine to a healthy lead, but it’ll all be erased after the lap 20 competition caution. Once the green unfurls yet again, the battle is hot and heavy between Burns, Borst, Harris, and a quiet Jamie Mosley. Jacob Borst gets all he can out of the #8 and takes the reins of the race over Burns. Burns won’t go quietly into the good night, but Borst is just too strong in clean air and takes his first career GNSS win in his first start. Also one step closer to the first ever QuicShine Clean Sweep.
“This thing was a rocketship”. Borst exclaimed in victory lane. “Brandon Kinzer was supposed to be running but hopefully this makes him feel better. Thank him, his father, his whole family for letting me run this car. I greatly appreciate it. Just had a ton of fun out there, these cars are so fun to drive. I’ve tested one but never driven one in a race.”
Points leader Jamie Mosley leads the field for the second twin 51 lapper, a gesture done in honor of Motorsports legend Kyle Busch. It doesn’t take long though for deja vu to set in with Burns and Borst once again going bar for bar in pursuit of the top spot. They’ll battle for side by side for a countless number of laps, allowing pole sitter Mosley to inch his way into the battle as well. But Mosley and Borst come together, sending Borst around and damaging Mosley’s machine. Borst is done for the night, ending his QuicShine Clean Sweep hopes while Mosley sustains significant battle scars. Mosley will continue after his crew goes to work on pit lane as that’ll bring Harris into the lead picture. But a severe loose condition won’t allow him to get close enough, meaning Burns finally gets the monkey off of his back and takes a win in 2026.
Safe to say Burns was relieved after the fact. “I feel like it’s been a long time coming. We’ve definitely had a couple get away from us, this year especially. Felt like we had one or two last year, didn’t get any wins. But man I’m telling you what, feels good to be back in victory lane. Car wasn’t perfect, 8 car was working on us there for a little bit. On the long run, the car was getting tighter and tighter. We’re gonna work on it and make it better next time this thing comes to the racetrack. Blessed to be in victory lane, gotta thank Bob and all the guys for working on it so hard today. Giving me the opportunity to drive this thing. Thanks to ECC and the whole Henriksen family, QuicShine 99 and Larry, they had their whole family out here today, that was very awesome. All my sponsors: Swansboro Moose Lodge, Southern Glass & Mirror, Rooms Unlimited. My wife and kids, the whole family at home. I appreciate everybody letting me be a part of this.”
Taking home the Howe Racing Enterprises Hard Charger Awards on the night is Jacob Borst in race one and Mike Kurkowski, who has a great run in race two.
Next up for the tour is Caraway Speedway on June 27th, where the points are sure to be tight and there is now an extra $500 up for grabs courtesy of the QuicShine99 Clean Sweep Award!
