By Jerry Curry, Staff Writer
The Salem Speedway, powered by the Hoosier Lottery, was blessed with great weather for the May 5 races. It did not lack for yellow flags and accidents.
During practice driver Mike Sharp spun in turn 3 and collected Marcus Elliot and last year's GAS champion Heath Helton. It ended the day for all three.
The day started peacefully as Track Chaplain Rob Lee gave the invocation, and then the National Anthem was played.
There were 32 Crown Vics on the small track for the first event. A yellow flag in the 25-lapper was throw on lap 22. This led to a shootout with Zack Cecil taking the checkered flag. Second was Jacob Robertson, and in third spot Nick Payne.
The Legend car was next on the same track and the caution flags began, so many in fact the race was cut to 18 laps instead of 25.
Xavier King prevailed and finished first. Right behind him in second was Sam Johnson. Charging through the pack after a spin for third place was Clayton Bohanon.
Then the fast action started on the big ½ mile 33-degree banked track with the growing number of the Salem Super Cars division. Twelve very fast cars took 25 circuits around the track.
Joe Cooksey led the way with a challenge from Brian Rose, winner of the last race. Rose was second and Todd Kempf third.
The next race was the Crown Vics on the big track with 33 Crown Vics taking to the track.
Ronnie Basham led the whole way but was heavily challenged on a last lap by then second place Dillion Kaelin. On the back stretch Kaelin actually got ahead of Basham, but taking the low side Bashan came back to lead and win the 75-lap race.
Basham was disqualified at a previous race because the computer port that was not blocked by a plastic tie. The tie keeps anyone from plugging in a high-performance enhancing devices.
The last race was the powerful Great American stocks (GAS) on the banks for 75 laps of action. The early leader was Brian Bayer, who built a good lead before the yellow flew because of debris on turn 1 at lap 19. He was reeled end on the restart but still lead.
On lap 22 Conner Popple, the fastest qualifier, and Wayne Edwards collied, ending their day.
On lap 46 Bayer was hit by David Bayens in the second-place car. Bayens took the lead and held it to the end of the 75-lap event. On his bumper and challenging him was veteran driver Chuck Barnes Sr. His son, who had a very fast car came from the back after making a pit stop under the yellow, finished third.
Yellow flag laps do not count.
The next race will be June 8 for the King of the High Banks. The Midwest Modifieds, Vore’s Compact Tour, and a CRA/GAS series Street Stock challenge will be featured at the next event at the speedway.