July 2, 2023 | By John Rittenoure

Luck turns around for Gorby with Sooner victory at Enid

ENID, Okla. (July 1, 2023) - Mechanical issues have plagued Joseph Gorby for much of the racing season, but it all came together on Saturday with a Complete Well Testing Sooner Late Model Series presented by Hayden Ross Motorsports Foundation victory at Enid Speedway.

Gorby roared into second on lap 14 and chased down race leader Kip Hughes. With two laps remaining Gorby dived inside of Hughes entering turn three and took away the lead notching his first victory of the season.

With the laps winding down Gorby felt he had a chance to pass Hughes.

“He just started messing up and little bit and i just waited till the right time and took my shot,” Gorby said of his move by Hughes for the lead. “His car seemed to be slowing down some.

“He is hard to pass, especially on his hometown track, and that made it that much better.”

The victory was a turnaround from what has been a slow start for the Bartlesville, Oklahoma racer.

“The car was working good for a change,” Gorby said. “All year we have had bad luck, but finally luck went my way. I tore the radiator up there times and I don’t know how many front end parts.”

The run from 8th starting to victory earned Gorby the Marks Machine Shop Hard Charger award.

Hughes held on to second just ahead of rookie Eli Ross in third. Ross battled for the runner-up spot throughout the race running second for four laps before settling for third. Lap 2-3 leader AJ Brochu fell to fourth and series points leader Brett Hansen rounded out the top five. Adam Popp lead the opening lap before falling to sixth at the finish.