From Dean Reichel
California, MO — (May 22, 2016) — Randy Martin made his first visit to Double-X Speedway Sunday night one for the books as he parked his #14 winged sprint car in victory lane for a slightly emotional and crowd pleasing feature win.
Starting third on the grid, Martin settled into third behind leader Jonathan Cornell and young shoe Ben Brown. The sprint car veteran passed young Brown on lap 5 and began to look for Cornell who had opened up a straightaway lead on the field. In an uncharacteristic slip, Cornell spun a 360 degree spin in turn 1 which caused an automatic caution flag on the track relegating him to the end of the lead lap cars. Martin inherited the lead on the ensuing restart which was negated as Taylor Walton tumbled off of turn 4 bringing out the red flag. Racing resumed on lap six with Martin in the lead and Cornell moving up through the field. After a caution on lap nine Martin still led followed by Brown, TJ Muths and Cornell. A lap later Cornell would move into third and on lap twelve he would overtake Brown for the second spot. By this time, Martin had a comfortable lead but a yellow after the completion of lap fifteen would bring Cornell to the rear bumper of the #14. Martin lead the next six laps with Cornell trying to mount a challenge. Meanwhile Tyler Blank had moved into third bringing Evan Martin to fourth with Muths holding the number five spot. The red flag flew at the completion of lap 21 as Ben Brown made contact with the front stretch wall and continued his string of tough luck this season with a dramatic flip at the flag stand. A four lap dash would decide the outcome of the event, with Cornell trying every move he could, the veteran Martin claimed the victory. In victory lane Martin congratulated the hard charging Cornell and also credited his brother Ronnie Martin for putting the winning setup under the black #14. Following Martin and Cornell under the checkered flag, Blank came home a strong third, Evan Martin claimed fourth and youngster Miles Paulus was fifth. Another young shoe Broc Elliott was sixth at the stripe. Ben Brown and Cornell claimed the heat races for the evening.
Double-X Speedway
California, MO
Sunday May 22, 2016
Feature: 1. 14- Randy Martin, California; 2. 28-Jonathan Cornell, Sedalia; 3. 75-Tyler Blank, California; 4. 4-Evan Martin, California; 5. 48-Miles Paulus, Marshall; 6. 75E-Broc Elliott, California; 7. 65-TJ Muths, Sedalia; 8. 12c-Nic Crank, Sedalia; 9. 56H-Dean Hathman, Rocheport; 10. 49B-Ben Brown, Marshall; 11. 49-Tyler Elliott, California; 12. 93- Taylor Walton, Warrensburg
Heat Race #1: 1. Brown; 2. R. Martin; 3. Blank; 4. E. Martin; 5. Hathman; 6. B. Elliott
Heat Race #2: 1. Cornell; 2. Muths; 3. Paulus;4. Walton; 5. T. Elliott; 6. Crank