Chris Little picks up the 2012 Track Championship. Photo credits: John Sears

Maryland International Raceway located in historic Budds Creek, Md. has become well known for its outstanding track preparation and record-setting radial tire races, and on Friday, the track hosted its final X275 points race of the season. Sixteen cars set out to take on points leader Chris Little in his small block turbocharged Mustang, but as the first round came around Little had already clinched the championship for the season. Little, who is no stranger to championships and setting records has had one of the most consistent cars in the class this season.

Justin Smith

Right out of the gate Justin Smith and his LSX-powered Camaro took the number one spot with a 4.748 at 153mph. Smith’s Camaro is motivated by the popular F1-X ProCharger but lurking in the distance were seven other drivers within two tenths of a second.

Final Qualifying Order

• Justin Smith 4.748 at 153mph
• Chris Little 4.832 at 151mph
• Ronnie Diaz 4.894 at 148mph
• Craig Walls 4.908 at 143mph
• Bobby Flippin 4.909 at 145mph
• Shawn Murphy 4.919 at 146mph
• Chris Evans 4.936 at 147mph
• Ricky Tippett 4.955 at 144mph

As the call was made for eliminations the density altitude was setting at 1800 feet and would provide some great conditions for records to be broken. Smith had a bye run in the first round due to Ricky Tippett not making the call. Evans, Ronnie Diaz and Craig Walls were able to advance over their competition.

Semi Finals

• Justin Smith 4.79 at 152mph defeats Craig Walls 4.92 at 143mph.
• Ronnie Diaz 4.90 at 148mph defeats Chris Evans 5.03 at 142mph.

Finals

In the final round it was going to be a shootout between Smith in his supercharged Camaro and Ronnie Diaz with the Mod motor Mustang. Unfortunately as the pairing came to the line, Smith was backed off for a leak, handing the automatic win to Diaz — his first ever X275 win after a night full of career best passes.