Kyle Hall in the Running One More Time.
On May 17, 2008, it was military appreciation night at Southern National Raceway Park. The day was not only a day of honor and remembrance, but it was another successful day for Kyle Hall and his team.

During the long trip from Bushwood, MD to Kenly, NC, Hall and his crew worked on strategies to try to win another race. This would be a grueling 100-lap feature and the crew was determined to give it their best effort. The car was ready and Hall was anxious to get into the action.

The team practiced hard trying to shorten Hall’s lap times by any means possible. They tried running various lines around the oval and made a few minor adjustments, dialing the car in just in time for qualifying.

Hall was determined to get his first pole of the year. He entered his qualifying lap and drove the 69 in a perfect line around the track. Hall ended up qualifying second by mere tenths. Although Hall wasn’t satisfied with his qualifying run, he was determined to make up for it when it came to race time.

The young star signed autographs and talked to the fans waiting for the race to begin. After what seemed like an eternity, Hall was strapped in and ready for the 100 lap race.

Because of a 2-car inversion, Hall started 1st. At the start, the 69 began to get better and better with each fast lap. Apparently, the 2nd place car improved as well and after battling Hall lap after lap, managed to get around the 69 for the lead. Being passed, Hall set his jaw and was determined to prove his rightful title as “rookie of the year.”

Almost at he halfway mark of the race, Hall began closing on the lead car. He closed the gap to only a tenth of a second and the battle for first was renewed, this time with the 69 chasing for the lead. However, lapped traffic hurt Hall’s momentum. Time after time, Hall would close on the lead only to have lapped cars block his way and have to start the chase again.

With about 25 laps to go, there was a caution, bunching the field. Hall gave it his all and stayed on the lead cars bumper, never able to get enough momentum to pass. The 69 and the lead car put almost a straight away lead on the rest of the field. When the race was done Hall said, “The car was really good. We were fast, but the leader was just a bit faster. I would beat him in some spots and he would beat me in others, but 2nd place is still a good finish.”

With Hall in second place in points, his whole crew is happy with the job they have done so far this season and looking forward to the next race.