New Castle’s Jason Atkinson appeared headed to a dominating win Saturday night at Anderson Speedway in the CRA Street Stock feature.
But that comfortable lead was wiped out on Herald Bulletin Cow Appreciation Night when two caution flags waved with just ten laps remaining in the 75-lap feature event.
Atkinson took the lead from Mason Keller with an outside pass going down the back straight on lap 24. Behind Atkinson there was a battle for the second spot between Keller, Dustin Burge, Jimmy Kirby and Josh Poore.
The caution flag waved for the fifth time on lap 29 when Rickie Tharp and Brandon Mefford got together in turn two while battling for the sixth position.
After that it appeared the race was going to run to the finish with Atkinson pulling away from the pack with Burge holding down the second spot with Keller holding off Poore and Kirby.
But the caution flag waved on lap 65 when Colby Lane spun in turn two, wiping out Atkinson’s lead. He held off Burge on the restart, but the race was slowed a lap later when Jeff Lane appeared to break a suspension part and hit the turn one wall.
On the final restart Burge was able to run side by side with Atkinson for several laps before the New Castle driver again took control of the race.
For Atkinson it was his second CRA Street Stock feature win, having recorded the victory in April at Lucas Oil Raceway.
Burge finished second followed by Poore, Keller and Kirby.
With the win Atkinson was able to protect his point lead over Burge and Kirby, who entered the race 67 points back.
Following the race Burge said he was able to race with Atkinson for about five laps and then his car would fall off.
As expected Atkinson said he didn’t want to see the late race cautions and he anticipated Burge making a strong run for the win.
Lane started last in the 21-car field and methodically marched his way to the front, running in the sixth spot when disaster struck on lap 66. He didn’t make a qualifying run because the team was waiting for a rear-end to be delivered to the track.
Lafayette’s Josh Lank turned in an impressive run finishing seventh after starting 17th . Jacob McElfresh driving a car built last winter recorded a sixth place finish running in the top ten for the entire distance.
The CRA Stealth Trailer Street Stock’s return to Anderson Speedway for the last time on Sept. 6.
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