Lochie Dalton critical of Nash Morris after lap 1 crash
Super2 leader Dalton crashes out after collision with Ford rival
Morris attempted to pass Dalton, who was hit by Aaron Love
Lochie Dalton has hit out at Nash Morris for a “pretty desperate” move that wiped the Super2 leader out of the Sandown opener.
Dalton, who entered the weekend 114 points clear of his closest rival, crashed out of Saturday’s Race 1 after a clash with Ford rival Morris.
Morris fired his car down the inside of Dalton’s Ford at Turn 4 on the opening lap. Morris’ car leapt over the kerb and hit Dalton’s car, which sailed into the tyre barriers.
Dalton’s car ricocheted onto the track and was cleaned up by an unsighted Aaron Love, putting both cars out onto the spot. The incident was noted, but no further investigation was undertaken.
Speaking during the race, Blanchard Racing Team driver Dalton wasn’t happy, telling Supercars.com: “It's just unfortunate. I think he was pretty desperate.
“Like, Nash always is pretty desperate and a hard racer, which is alright, but I don't know. He jumped all four wheels over a kerb.
“They'll say he was far enough up the inside, but I can be far enough up the inside if I cut the corner and just drive into someone's door.
“Lucky we got a good points buffer, fast car, and good crew. So yeah, gloves are off now.”
It marked Dalton’s first non-finish of what has been a brilliant season, headlined by four wins in the first eight races of the season.
Just before he was interviewed, Dalton’s BRT teammate Bailey Sweeny was also taken out of contention, ironically after a clash with Morris’ Tickford teammate Ben Gomersall.
When asked if he felt elbows were out more than usual, Dalton replied: “It’s just Super2, it's a learning category, so fair enough.
“But, us guys at the front, we're smart enough. Nash should be smart enough to know when it's on and when it isn't.
“Fair enough, it's a development series, mistakes happen, but it shouldn't be happening from, us guys at the front.”
When asked if he believes he can fight back on Sunday, Dalton was firm: “100%. Just makes me more fired up.”
Dalton will carry a reduced 18-point lead over Brad Vaughan into Sunday, with Vaughan recovering to the top 10 after being spun out on lap 1.
Campbell Logan, who won Race 1, is now 24 points down, with Morris 36 behind.
