Larson Breaks Track Record, Wins At Wayne County Speedway

It’s been a fun six-day stretch for Kyle Larson. The Elk Grove, California native captured his first win of 2017 with the World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series last Tuesday at Eagle Raceway in Nebraska. Larson won for the second time this year in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Sunday at Michigan International Speedway. There was no holding back Larson Monday night a Wayne County Speedway. Larson was the third car to qualify and set a new track record with a 13.823. He would start 8^th in the feature.

Former Wayne County Speedway track champion Brad Haudenschild would start the feature event on the front row with Vienna, West Virginia native Cale Conley. Haudenschild ran into trouble on lap three when his 38K machine climbed the hill in turns 1 and 2, hitting the cushion causing the machine to roll over. Haudenschild was ok, though the lead now belonged to Conley. Three yellow flags over the first six laps kept the field bunched up.

By lap 13 Larson had charged to the second spot, taking the lead away from Conley as he exited turn four. Larson wouldn’t look back, leading the rest of the way surviving a late caution. Caleb Helms and Eldora winner Tim Shaffer came together on lap 29 on the front stretch as they battled for the second spot. Kasey Kahne would be the beneficiary, moving to the second spot starting behind Larson on the restart. Kahne was unable to challenge as Larson lead the field to the checkered flag, winning the 30 lap, $5,000 main.

“On that final restart I spun my tires at the exit of four,” said Kahne following the race.

In victory lane, Larson said he knew he had a good chance to get to the front from his 8^th starting spot. “I tried to be patient, I knew the car would be really good.” With his third win in a week, Larson hopes the trend continues. “We’re on a little bit of a hot streak right now, hopefully, we can keep it going.”

News and Notes

With his 3^rd place finish Monday night at Wayne County Speedway Chad Kemenah now sits atop the Ohio Sprint Speedweek presented by Cometic Gasket point standings, leading Tim Shaffer and Ryan Smith by 14 points.

Mother Nature continues to throw curveballs. Rain again showed up at Wayne County Speedway Monday delaying the start of the show. After 4 days, the 35^th annual event has had 5 rain delays and 1 rainout. Sunday’s event that was washed out at Waynesfield Raceway Park will be made up on Wednesday.

Racing was also delayed Monday night due to a power outage, as the track lighting went out while the field was under an early yellow. Credit goes to the Wayne County Speedway staff for getting the lights back on in a timely manner. That’s not the only odd thing to happen so far during speedweek. Racing Saturday at Eldora Speedway was stopped briefly for a bird that was stuck in the catch fence.

 

35^th Annual Ohio Sprint Speedweek Schedule

Friday: Attica Raceway Park – Feature PPD, to be made up on September 2^nd

Saturday: Eldora Speedway – Winner: Tim Shaffer

Sunday: Waynesfield Raceway Park – PPD

Monday, June 19^th: Wayne County Speedway – Winner: Kyle Larson

Tuesday, June 20^th: Sharon Speedway

Wednesday, June 21^st: Waynesfield Raceway Park

Thursday, June 22^nd: Muskingum County Speedway

Friday, June 23^rd: Limaland Motorsports Park

Saturday, June 24^th: Atomic Speedway