Peterson Media
Hanford, CA- Friday night at the Keller Auto Speedway, ‘The Demon’ Damion Gardner scored a thrilling win with the USAC/CRA Series during the Jim Turner Memorial as Bryan Burnes, Blake Robertson, and Ricky Childress, Jr were also victorious on this night.
With Damion Gardner and Logan Williams leading the field to green, it was Gardner getting the early jump as Ryan Bernal and Richard Vander Weerd raced their way forward in the early laps.
Lap three would see Richard Vander Weerd use the high side to his advantage as he grabbed the lead. Vander Weerd’s lead would be short lived however, as he would catch the cushion on the sixth lap and do everything but get upside down to bring out the yellow flag.
With Gardner back out front, he would fend off Ryan Bernal and Mike Spencer’s advances, as timely cautions would give the leaders clear track. With the checkered flag in the air, Gardner would score what would be an emotional with win over Bernal, Spencer, Brody Roa, and Jake Swanson rounding out the top-five.
In Western States RaceSaver 305 action, Eric Correia would get off to a strong start and grab the lead out of turn four to lead the opening two laps until the yellow flag would fly.
The restart would be exciting as Blake Robertson would make a daring three-wide pass to assume to take over the second spot, as he chased after Correia. On lap five, Robertson would take over the race lead and never look back. As Correia held down the second spot, Jessie Mack would make a late race move to net third as Mike Schott and Chris Ennis rounded out the Top-Five.
Ricky Childress Jr would again find himself celebrating in victory lane following the RaceChic IMCA Sport Mods feature event. Jumping out to the lead from his front row starting position, Childress would weather a long second lap that saw the caution flag fly numerous times before racing resumed.
After a caution on the fifth lap, the last 10 circuits would go off with no issues, as Childress was able to distance himself from Bryon Holder to pick up the win. Holder would finish second, Chris Swank third, Tony Mendonsa fourth, and Ben Lickey would finish in the fifth spot.
Starting on the front row of the McAlister’s Auto IMCA Modified feature event, Bryan Burnes would get off to a great start as he had Jimmy Reeves in tow. As Brad Pounds settled into the third spot, the lead trio would break away from the pack as the race went non-stop for the first 16 laps. With Burnes continuing to lead the way, the caution would again fly on the 24th lap, setting up a one-lap dash to the finish line, and making for an exciting end to the race. With Reeves hanging with Burnes, Burnes would beat him to the line by a car length to claim the win. Pounds would hang on for third, Roger Holder fourth, and Chad Reichenbach fifth.
ON TAP- The Keller Auto Speedway is back in action this weekend with two great nights of racing on tap. Friday night the Duinkerken Farms King of Kings 360’s return to the track along with the McAlister’s Auto IMCA Mods, and RaceChic IMCA Sport Mods, while Saturday night the King of the West 410ci sprint cars make their first of two spots at the track this season along with the Western States RaceSaver 305’s and the Mini Stocks.
STAY CONNECTED- Stay up to speed with all things Keller Auto Speedway by visiting the website at www.kellerautospeedway.com, by following us on Twitter @KellerAutoSpeed, or by liking us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/KingsSpeedwayOfficialSite. The Keller Auto Speedway is located at 801 10th Ave Hanford, CA 93230.