Superstar Racing Experience results: Local star Doug Coby holds off Biffle, Stewart for win in inaugural race

SRX on CBS began with a surprise winner beating some racing legends

When the Camping World SRX Series was first formed, much of the excitement towards the new racing series was over the participation of a dozen of the top drivers in various racing disciplines. But in the very first race for SRX, it was a designated local hero -- New England's own Doug Coby -- who wrote the latest chapter in his own legendary career.

In the inaugural Superstar Racing Experience race, Connecticut's Doug Coby put his mastery of Stafford Motor Speedway on full display, dominating the 100 lap feature and holding off NASCAR greats Greg Biffle and Tony Stewart on a late restart to win the first ever SRX event. 

Final running order

1. Doug Cody
2. Greg Biffle
3. Tony Stewart
4. Helio Castroneves
5. Bobby Labonte
6. Ernie Francis Jr.
7. Tony Kanaan
8. Willy T. Ribbs
9. Paul Tracy
10. Marco Andretti
11. Michael Waltrip
12. Bill Elliott

Coby, 41, entered Saturday night with extensive experience at Stafford and a regional racing legacy that rivaled those of his high-profile competitors: A native of Milford, CT and a real estate agent by trade, Coby is a six-time champion of the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour and had 30 feature wins at Stafford to his credit.

Although the higher levels of NASCAR have never come calling, Coby received the chance to drive the "Rocky Balboa" car reserved in SRX for local racing superstars. And on a national stage in front of his longtime fans, Coby sent a message on behalf of career short track racers around the country -- even after causing himself some embarrassment by falling on his rear as he climbed out of his winning car.

"What a special night for short track racing in America. This is a special night for Stafford Motor Speedway and everybody who's a short track racer around the country, whether you're dirt or asphalt," Coby told CBS Sports. "... This means a lot to short trackers. The only thing I screwed up tonight was my exit, and I'd do it all over again if that's what it takes to win this race."

In addition to the big picture of short track racing, Coby dedicated the victory to former car owner Don King, a longtime figure in the regional racing community. Coby was wearing a special helmet in tribute to King, who died earlier this week.

"That's what short track racers do. We pour our heart and soul into this, I've done this for decades, and Don gave me my first Modified Tour ride, and I can't thank him enough," Coby said.

To illustrate the personal significance of the opportunity to race in SRX for Coby, it should be considered that winning in SRX tonight directly affected his chances at another championship in the Modified Tour: As noted by Matt Weaver of Autoweek, running the SRX race at Stafford meant that Coby had to skip Saturday night's Whelen Modified Tour race at Oswego Speedway in upstate New York despite being just five points out of the series points lead.

With the first race now in the books, the Camping World SRX Series will continue next Saturday night with the second race of the season from Knoxville Raceway -- just outside of Des Moines, Iowa -- the first of two dirt tracks on the SRX schedule.

[Jun 12, 2021 at 10:16 pm ET · Steven Taranto]

Slightly unfortunate part of Doug Coby's big moment: He fell out of his car trying to stand on the door in triumph.

[Jun 12, 2021 at 10:12 pm ET · Steven Taranto]

Doug Coby holds off Greg Biffle and Tony Stewart on a shootout for the win, defending his turf at Stafford Speedway and winning the very first race for SRX.

Biffle finishes second with Stewart third, followed by Helio Castroneves, Bobby Labonte, Ernie Francis Jr., Tony Kanaan, Willy T. Ribbs, Paul Tracy, Marco Andretti, Michael Waltrip, and Bill Elliott.

[Jun 12, 2021 at 10:11 pm ET · Steven Taranto]

Doug Coby will have to survive a restart with two laps to go to win the opening race for SRX.

[Jun 12, 2021 at 10:09 pm ET · Steven Taranto]

Caution is out with seven laps to go: Marco Aandretti had a right front tire go down and was throwing up smoke and sparks.

[Jun 12, 2021 at 10:07 pm ET · Steven Taranto]

10 laps to go. Doug Coby was able to open his lead to a little over a second after Greg Biffle was held up by the lapped car of Paul Tracy.

[Jun 12, 2021 at 10:06 pm ET · Steven Taranto]

The gap between Doug Coby and Greg Biffle has remained stable at about half a second with under 15 laps to go. Coby has 30 feature wins racing at Stafford, and this would undoubtedly be one of his biggest.

[Jun 12, 2021 at 10:01 pm ET · Steven Taranto]

25 laps to go. Doug Coby continues to lead Greg Biffle by over half a second, followed by Tony Stewart, Bobby Labonte, and Helio Castroneves.

[Jun 12, 2021 at 9:58 pm ET · Steven Taranto]

Doug Coby is able to outlast Greg Biffle's challenge, taking the lead back on the inside line.

[Jun 12, 2021 at 9:57 pm ET · Steven Taranto]

Green flag is back out with 38 laps to go. Greg Biffle leads the opening lap after the restart, using the outside line to gain leverage on Doug Coby.

[Jun 12, 2021 at 9:56 pm ET · Steven Taranto]

Two drivers whose SRX debuts haven't gone as intended:

[Jun 12, 2021 at 9:54 pm ET · Steven Taranto]

Trouble in Turn three, as Marco Andretti has spun after contact from Helio Castroneves. No so friendly fire between two drivers who long raced against each other in IndyCar.

[Jun 12, 2021 at 9:52 pm ET · Steven Taranto]

In case you missed it, this was Marco Andretti's pass for the race lead earlier:

[Jun 12, 2021 at 9:52 pm ET · Steven Taranto]

Michael Waltrip has been black flagged after suffering extensive damage to his car. Waltrip was caught in a three-wide wedge on the restart.

[Jun 12, 2021 at 9:50 pm ET · Steven Taranto]

Restart with 53 laps to go. Greg Biffle is once again challenging Doug Coby for the race lead with Tony Stewart not far behind.

[Jun 12, 2021 at 9:46 pm ET · Steven Taranto]

A caution has been thrown - This is effectively a competition caution to bunch the field back up after they got spread out over that long run.

[Jun 12, 2021 at 9:43 pm ET · Steven Taranto]

Greg Biffle has fallen back to about a second behind Doug Coby. Biffle has been all over Coby for several laps before Coby began to put a gap on him.

[Jun 12, 2021 at 9:41 pm ET · Steven Taranto]

For those not familiar with Doug Coby, here's some context on the opportunity racing in SRX presents to him, and what he's giving up to compete here tonight.

[Jun 12, 2021 at 9:40 pm ET · Steven Taranto]

Another lead change, as Doug Coby takes the top spot from Greg Biffle. 25 laps now in the books.

[Jun 12, 2021 at 9:37 pm ET · Steven Taranto]

New leader: Greg Biffle takes the lead from Marco Andretti, with Doug Coby moving back around Marco Andretti to take second.

Some other items: Bill Elliott brought his car to pit road with continued mechanical issues and he has lost multiple laps. Willy T. Ribbs spun in the frontstretch infield, but was able to drive away.

[Jun 12, 2021 at 9:35 pm ET · Steven Taranto]

Marco Andretti makes a three-wide pass for the race lead, muscling his way around both Coby and Stewart. Andretti to the lead and Greg Biffle up to second.

[Jun 12, 2021 at 9:34 pm ET · Steven Taranto]

Green flag is back out. Tony Stewart is using the outside line to challenge Doug Coby for the race lead, with Marco Andretti putting himself into the picture.

[Jun 12, 2021 at 9:32 pm ET · Steven Taranto]

Greg Biffle made up significant time in his backup car in the opening laps, moving from the back of the field all the way up to fifth.

This from NASCAR Cup Series star Denny Hamlin:

[Jun 12, 2021 at 9:30 pm ET · Steven Taranto]

First caution of the feature. Michael Waltrip spins and backs into the Turn 4 wall after contact from Ernie Francis

[Jun 12, 2021 at 9:29 pm ET · Steven Taranto]

Green flag is out in the 100 lap feature. The inside line gets the jump, with Doug Coby clearing Michael Waltrip and taking Tony Stewart with him.

[Jun 12, 2021 at 9:28 pm ET · Steven Taranto]

Bill Elliott's car has re-fired and he will now join the end of the field.

[Jun 12, 2021 at 9:26 pm ET · Steven Taranto]

Bill Elliott reported that he lost fuel pressure in his car. He's on pit road and significant attention is being paid to his car.

[Jun 12, 2021 at 9:23 pm ET · Steven Taranto]

The field is rolling for the 100 lap feature. Doug Coby and Michael Waltrip are on the front row.
Bill Elliott's car has stalled on the backstraightaway, which has delayed the start.

[Jun 12, 2021 at 9:15 pm ET · Steven Taranto]

There has been some talk on Twitter as to whether Greg Biffle would have new tires on his backup car, which would have been a major advantage. He won't: Biffle will be running scuffs from practice with about 40 laps on them.