By T.J. Buffenbarger
Hartford, MI – (July 2, 2016) – Landon Simon used his off night from the USAC National Sprint Car Series circuit to good use dominating Saturday night’s Lane Automotive Michigan Traditional Sprints feature at the Hartford Motor Speedway. Simon won his heat race, started on the front row of the main event, and led every lap in route to the victory.
“I knew Steve Irwin was going to be good. He’s good up here in Michigan, and if you make a mistake he is always there to pounce. I was pretty confident in what we were going to do out there coming off racing with USAC, going to Pennsylvania, and racing the big half miles,” said Simon.
Simon not only used the MTS event for a night of racing on an off night from the USAC tour, but to try out some things for the remainder of the season.
“They reason we came here is to try stuff out (In Pennsylvania) we thought was good, but you really can’t afford to chance and try it. We were able to try it and we were good, so we’re looking forward to taking this thing to Indiana Sprint Week now.
Simon jumped into the lead from the front row with Drew Radar and Jay Steinebach racing for the second position. Radar settled into that position and set out to keep pace with Simon. Further back Irwin was working his way through the field getting up to third position on lap four drover under Radar for the second spot off of turn two.
A late caution gave Irwin an opportunity to challenge Simon for the lead, but Irwin slipped and dropped back to fifth place on the restart as Simon pulled away to the victory. Radar held on to the runner up spot while Irwin raced his way up to the third spot.