Stories

Swindell tops inaugural ASCS event in Salina

By DUSTY WIEGERT

Special to The Hays Daily News

SALINA, Kan. -- With the first Lucas Oil American Sprint Car Series (ASCS) National Tour event at the Salina Speedway in the books a very familiar name in open wheel racing left with the spoils in topping a thrilling 30 lap main event for the series.

Seth Bergman took off at the start to open up an early lead. The field roared around the 3/8 mile on the top side of the track turning sub-fifteen second laps until a caution on lap nine. The hornet's nest was rattled during this caution as when they took green again the action intensified. Slidejob after slidejob was thrown not only by the leaders, which involved Bergman, Jason Johnson, and Kevin Swindell, but also by the rest of the starting grid. Johnson worked his way into the lead amidst lapped traffic while Swindell picked him off as well. Prior to a lap twenty four caution Swindell used a well placed slidejob to take the lead. Swindell then held off Johnson throughout two late restarts to score his first ASCS National Tour win. Johnson settled for second with Bergman third and Don Droud Jr. fourth. Johnson, Logan Forler, and Dustin Morgan won the heat races.

In the Auto House Mod Lite feature Brandon Gray found the top side to be working early to fly ahead of then leader Ryan Ayers to take yet another win in a series of triumphs lately. Ayers settled for second with Brian Davidson third and Nick Watts fourth. Gray was the Hard Charger after starting ninth. Ryan Seacrest and Bud Lee won the heat races.

Russell Roberg also pulled into Victory Lane for another win in the T&R Dirt Construction feature. This time Roberg rolled past the leaders and walked away with John McNabb, Paco Montague, and Eric Unruh trailing behind. McNabb was the Hard Charger after starting ninth. Brian Dunsworth and Dallas Dunn were the heat race winners.

Racing continues next Friday night August 24 with the Friesen Chevrolet Late Models presented by M&H Motors and Cave Diver's Liquor, Belleville Motorsports IMCA Modifieds, Xtreme Motorsports IMCA Northern SportMods, Budweiser IMCA Hobby Stocks, and T&R Dirt Construction Mini Stocks in action. Race time is set for 8:00PM.

For more information on the Salina Speedway please visit www.racesalinaspeedway.com