NASCAR comes to K-C
By Scott Wolfe
(June 14, 2008) CHILLICOTHE, OHIO - NASCAR came to K-C Raceway Saturday night! And it wasn't planned. Former Craftsman Truck and Nationwide driver Blake Feese of Saybrook, Illinois visited from the Southland to unseat Danny Smith as victor emeritus in the 410 outlaw sprint division. K-C announcer Bruce Hines proclaimed Danny Smith a "Rocketship on rails". The comparison was accurate during the first eight laps of the 410 sprint main when Smith resumed his dream season by blasting into a huge lead. Smith lapped seven cars in just eight circuits, but Blake Feese, auditioning for Dave Jessup in the #7k Eagle/Kistler-powered sprinter, started to close the gap after passing Nick Naber and Cole Duncan for second.
Leading up to a lap eight spin for Josh Yenser, Feese of Saybrook, Illinois lined up behind Smith in igniting a torrid battle for turf on Jim Nier's K-C high-banks. On lap 12 Feese nosed under Smith, but Smith closed the door and found renewed life to lead through lap 13 when Josh Davis’s front suspension collapsed and sent him into a spin.
Feese mapped the territory for the restart as Smith cooled his tires. Moments later the monumental battle continued. Fresh off a stint with the ARCA/REMAX series, Feese watched Smith blast to a great restart. Two laps later Feese torpedoed by for the top spot amid a torrent of cheers. After all, hometowner Danny Smith has owned victory lane at K-C much of the past two seasons.
On lap 15, Kirk Jefferies lost his nose wing and went to the tail, setting up yet another restart. If Smith was in a Rocketship, Feese was in an Ultra Rocket. Feese went into orbit with Smith in chase and Nick Naber lying in wait in third. Smith started to close the gap as the race wound to a close as both masters whirled brilliantly through traffic. Feese held on for the six car-length win.
"I hadn't run a sprint car for a year-and-a-half," sighed Feese. "I didn't know if I was sharp enough to win, but I was thrilled when Dave called me."
"Danny Smith doesn't make many mistakes. He didn't tonight. I really respect Danny and he is great here at K-C. I guess when you are home sitting on the couch, and you watch these (sprint) races, you get hungry and I was hungry tonight."
|
