Vandyke sweeps late model stock races at Lonesome Pine Raceway

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Kres VanDyke returned to Lonesome Pine Raceway on Saturday and claimed the checkered flag in both Late Model Stock Car races.

VanDyke didn’t dominate the twin features, though. The 2014 Kingsport (Tennessee) Speedway champion raced his way to the win in both races.

In the first feature, VanDyke didn’t take the lead until a late-race restart on lap 33. VanDyke then drove to the win after a hard-fought battle with current points leader Wayne Hale.

VanDyke battled with Nate Monteith in the second matchup. VanDyke took the lead on lap six and led the remaining laps.

Hale took the lead on the opening lap of the first 35-lap NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Late Model Stock Car feature. VanDyke would make his way into second on lap three and begin to work his way towards Hale.

Hale would continue to lead up front and with five laps remaining, the defending track champion held a decent lead.

Hale’s lead would diminish on lap 33 when the No. 29 of Mark Meade slowed at the exit of Turn 2.

Set for a green-white-checkered restart, Hale and VanDyke would battle for the top spot on the restart. With the white flag waving, the two were still door to door.

VanDyke edged ahead at the entrance to Turn 3 and Hale would slide exiting Turn 4. VanDyke would take the checkered over Hale for his third win of the season.

Greg Bohannon Jr. and Monteith were on point for the second Late Model Stock Car feature.

Monteith jumped to the lead at the drop of the green flag and VanDyke immediately began working his way from fourth place.

Taking the second position on lap two, VanDyke set his sights on the No. 97 of Monteith. VanDyke would race around the outside of Monteith and take the lead on lap six.

The first caution of the race waved on lap 13 when Jacob York spun between Turns 3 and 4.

On the ensuing restart, VanDyke took the lead again over Monteith and drove on to claim his second win of the night.

“It’s great to be back over here,” said VanDyke. “It’s always great to be over here at (Lonesome Pine Raceway).”

VanDyke noted that his crew was short some members tonight but those in attendance performed on point.

“We were kind of shorthanded today,” added VanDyke. “Some of our crew had other obligations today and that’s completely understandable. But we all come together at the end of it.”

“My crew did their job and I did mine.”

Chris Tunnell won his third win of the season at Lonesome Pine Raceway on Saturday night.

Tunnell grabbed the lead just passed the halfway point and lead the remaining laps of the caution-plagued race.

Tunnell took the lead from Emma Stiltner on lap 19. Stiltner and Elby Harrison, racing for second place on lap 20, made contact and sent Stiltner spinning. The spin would bring the race’s first yellow flag out.

Tunnell retook the lead on the restart with Rob Austin charging hard from second place.

The caution would wave again on lap 26 when Austin and Stiltner made contact between Turns 3 and 4.

Back under green, Tunnell would retake the lead until the caution waved again for another incident between Austin and Stiltner on lap 32.

Tunnell would again jump to the lead on the restart and go on to take the checkered flag.

William Hale led flag-to-flag in the 25-lap Pure 4 race.

The win was Hale’s first of the season.

Billy Duty dominated the 15-lap Mod 4 feature. Duty returned to the track for the first time since an accident earlier this season at Kingsport Speedway.

Marty Tunnell led the first lap of the Pure Street division’s 20-lap event. Doug Austin would take the lead on the second circuit of the race.

Austin would lead all of the remaining laps and take the win.

Blayne Harrison won the Bandeleros race. Harrison drove from the rear of the five-car field and took the lead on lap four.

LPR PR

Speedway Digest Staff
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