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| Press Release |
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BALLOU MAKES IT
THREE IN A ROW IN MSCS COMPETITION WINS DON SMITH CLASSIC AT TERRE
HAUTE |
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Terre Haute, IN - May 4th, 2008. The Terre Haute Action Track opened for the
season with the Clabber Girl Don Smith Classic presented by Indiana State
University. The event held in tribute to former track promoter Don Smith,
originally scheduled for Friday evening, was postponed to Sunday afternoon due
to storms. Smith was honored in a pre- race ceremony and later presented a
special trophy to the winner following the 30 lap feature. The event also marked
the return of the Action Track to the Midwest racing scene through the efforts
of DHK Promotions LLC. The group had the facility ready for the 42 Hoosier Tire
MSCS Sprint teams and the fans that support the series and the track.
Robert Ballou of Camby, IN, won the feature in a spirited contest with Jesse Hockett of Indianapolis, IN. A yellow flag with just 5 laps to go set up the final confrontation. Hockett led at the outset of the race while Ballou worked his way forward. Hockett had started outside pole in the 24 car field while Ballou started back in row six. Jesse Hockett and Brady Short paced the field for the first third of the event. Ballou caught and passed them to lead from the 14th lap on. Hockett battled to stay close to the leader and was still campaigning using a lower line when the checkered flags ended the chase. Brady Short finished third with a strong run. Damion Gardner and Levi Jones completed a talented top five. Ballou drives for MPHG Promotions with Jimmy Jones serving as the crew chief. Sponsors include Behavior Consultants, J.C Plew Inc., and Builders Solutions Alliance. Ballou drove a Maxim sprint with engine power from John Ott. The victory was Ballou’s third in a row during MSCS competition in a winning streak which began last fall. Drivers finishing sixth through tenth included Mitch Wissmiller, Danny Holtsclaw, Bill Rose, Chase Stockon, and Neil Shepherd. Bill Rose was involved in the crash that shut down the feature on lap 10. At least five drivers were involved as cars collected at the scene, some flipping. Rose was the only driver in the group that was able to make repairs and rejoin the field at the tail. The group of drivers were battling inside the top ten when the chain reaction accident developed in turn three. Factors included close competition, mechanical parts, a car into the wall, and dust compounded by the glare of the sun which was setting above and beyond the turn three wall. After discussions officials of MSCS and the Action Track decided to go to a brief open red to allow just enough time for the sun to finish setting before continuing. Kenny Biro, Dusty Wright, Daron Clayton, and Ricky Williams were the drivers involved that had cars that were unable to continue racing. The 42 car field produced a 22 car B-Main that was a terrific race in itself. Chase Stockon of Sullivan, IN, took the event. He started 13th passing 12 cars in 12 laps in a picture perfect performance. He then proceeded to climb through the ranks in the feature finishing ninth after starting 21st. Preliminary heat races were won by Neil Shepherd, Jesse Hockett, Daron Clayton, and Brady Short. The Hoosier Tire Midwest Sprint Car Series will be in action Saturday night May 10th at Tri-State Speedway in Haubstadt, IN. It is the season opener at the track and the feature pays $3,000 to win. MIDWEST SPRINT CAR SERIES (MSCS) HEAT RACE 1 HEAT RACE 2 HEAT RACE 3 HEAT RACE 4 B-MAIN A-MAIN |
