6/7/2008
KIRKENDALL TAKES RoC WIN AT MAHONING
It was the first time in a while that an RoC event coming to
Mahoning Valley speedway did not get rescheduled due to weather. The
mercury was showing temperatures in the 90's, but that did not keep
the anyone away. The stands, parking lot, and pits were filled.
Time trials, heats, and consi's were completed to determine the
field. The top 12 automatically advanced to the main event based
upon their time, but would redraw to determine starting position.
While Eric Beers showed to be the man to beat, he was going to have
to prove this by starting from the 8th spot.
The 26 car field was set. Paul Skodacek on the pole, with Rick
Kirkendall on the outside. The green flew, Skodacek jumped out into
the front leading the first two laps. It was then when the caution
flag flew for a spinning Bup Dreher in turn 4. The field regrouped
and back to green. Kirkendall got the jump on Skodacek taking over
the lead. Setting sail, Kirkendall expanded his lead but once again,
action was halted for a spinning Lou Strohl between turns one and
two. Fourteen laps were complete as the yellow number 4 remained out
front. When the green came out, Kirkendall had his hands full, as he
had a hard charging Eric Beers coming. As lap19 was completed Beers
pulled up next to Kirkendall and made the pass smoothing to take the
lead. Beers started to stretch the lead, however on lap 22, Jan
Leaty spun on the front stretch bring out the caution.
Racing resumed and Beers proceeded to lead, Kirkendall tucked in
behind beers while Rick Kluth, Donny Wagner, and Bobby Jones battled
behind the leader. As lap 33 was completed by Beers who had a
commanding lead, Jim Storace spun on the backstretch. The green
returned to the track while Beers remained out front. Kirkendall
remained in second while Bobby Jones moved into third bringing Donny
Wagner with him as Rick Kluth moved back to fifth. Beers had a
commanding lead, showing all signs he was the one to beat. Jan Leaty
and Jared Nace were about to go a lap down on lap 46 when they got
together in turn 1, collecting the leader, Eric Beers.
Kirkendall took the green as the leader, but a fast moving Bobby
Jones passed him and proceeded into the lead. Kirkendall still very
strong battled back and regained the lead on lap 63. After losing
the lead Jones started to fall back into the field while Brian
Defebo who started in the back of the pack was moving to the front.
Dick Brown, the head flag man showed 5 to go as Defebo moved into
second with Wagner and Kluth right behind him.
Kirkendall was able to hold of the challenge of Defebo to take the
checkers. Defebo would settle for second, Kluth third, Wagner
fourth, and pole sitter Skodacek fifth.
THE END
Source:
Amanda Suhoski / The Chrome
Horn
Posted:
June 7, 2008 |