Anthony Macri Bags Big Gator for PA Posse After Last Lap Duel
- TSN MOTORSPORTS INSIDER
- 10 hours ago
- 2 min read
The Pennsylvania Posse is making a strong showing lately, largely due to Anthony Macri's efforts.
The “Concrete King” recently conquered Florida with the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series.
Hailing from Dillsburg, PA, Macri and his Macri Motorsports team headed south to the “Sunshine State” for Volusia Speedway Park’s Federated Auto Parts DIRTcar Nationals.
Macri began the three nights of racing with impressive third and fourth-place finishes, but he saved the best for last.
The finale on Saturday offered $20,000 and Big Gator bragging rights. Macri started fourth in the main event, positioning him well for the trophy, as the two leading competitors in points started further back—21st (Buddy Kofoid) and 12th (Carson Macedo).
Macri didn't rely on them staying behind. He quickly overtook Brian Brown for the lead on the seventh lap. It seemed like he would secure the win as Macri built a lead, but defending Series champion David Gravel wasn't going to make it easy.
Gravel pushed into second and closed the gap on Macri, seizing an opportunity as the white flag waved. Macri struggled to pass a lapper on the front straightaway, allowing Gravel to attempt a slide job in Turn 1. However, Macri remained unfazed, maneuvering a diamond line to gain momentum down the back straightaway, overtaking both Gravel and the traffic. He found the speed he needed to edge ahead into Turn 3, holding off the Big Game Motorsports No. 2 to claim the $20,000 and the Big Gator.
“I just saw how those guys were able to diamond the corner off late in the race and gain a lot of speed,” Macri said. “When I almost got into Chase (Dietz), I knew he was close and would make a move to win. I just pulled that one out of my hat. I managed to diamond the corner and get a great run down the backstretch, and I was either threading it between Chase and the inside wall or wrecking trying.
“This is incredible. I’m in a bit of a bind because I told these guys if I won the Big Gator this week, I’d call it a season,” Macri added with a smile.
This victory marks Macri's eighth World of Outlaws win, tying him with Jimmy Sills and fellow Pennsylvanian Cody Darrah on the all-time win list. It’s his second win outside Pennsylvania with The Greatest Show on Dirt, the first being last year’s Kings Royal at Eldora Speedway. He became the ninth different winner of the Big Gator.
David Gravel, Carson Macedo, Buddy Kofoid, and Brian Brown rounded out the top five.
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