4/16/2018
Salina Highbanks Speedway
Wolff, Striegel, Slader, Kirby land opening night wins
photo credit: No Limit Photography by B. Dilbeck
Eighty-five drivers took part in a cold night of racing to open 2018, the eighth season since the track’s reopening and also eighth year with the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series.
In the S&J Plumbing Pure Stock division Jack Kirby bested challenges from Josh Shive and Steve Freeman early, as well as Nathan Campbell late to pick up the opening night win. It was Kirby’s first victory at the Highbanks since the 2016 season. After starting eighth, Campbell finished in the runner-up spot ahead of respective top five finishers Shive, Freeman, and Roger Starling.
To put it simply the 15-lap Super Stock A-Main was the “Slader Show.” Kyle Slader, who had only won one feature event at Salina dating back to 2011 in the now dormant Factory Stock division prior to Saturday, dominated the field in one of the toughest full-bodied divisions in the Midwest. By virtue of a rainout at his home track, Tri-State Speedway, Neil Johnston made the trip to the Highbanks and logged a solid second place finish. Nick Artherton, Jeff Metcalf (now sporting the number 6 in memory of his father-in-law John Stand), and Jason Wayne completed the top five.
The ever-growing, ultra-competitive AmeriFlex Hose & Accessories B-Mod division was loaded with talent even heavier than in the 2017 season. After a 20-lap A-Main Mike Striegel claimed his first ever Highbanks victory. En route to doing so, the “Wheatland Outlaw” held off charges from open-wheel Modified aces Tate Cole and Brett Hansen who finished second and third, respectively. Completing the top five were Hunter Byers in fourth and defending Track and National Champion Cody Jolly in fifth. Dylan Cantwell won the AmeriFlex “Lucky Draw” worth an additional $100. The AmeriFlex “Lucky Draw” will be conducted at each weekly points racing event in 2018.
The final feature of the night was arguably the best feature of the night. Fans witnessed the Modifieds utilize every square inch of the Northeast Oklahoma clay around the Highbanks. By the midway point a three-car race for the lead shaped up that persisted the entire distance of the 20-lap affair. When the checkered flag flew Tyler Wolff reigned supreme for the second night in a row after winning at Thunderbird Speedway on Friday. Chad Wheeler finished second, ahead of hard-charging Mitch Keeter, who officially started 18th and finished third. Steve Holzkamper and Mickey Lassiter rounded out the top five.
All drivers who won on opening night will be recognized and collect their hardware in Bull Tuff Mud Company Ready Mix Victory Lane on Saturday, April 21st when NASCAR Whelen All-American Series points racing resumes. The Custom Coatings Trophy Car division will also make its debut on the Highbanks to conclude the evening’s program.
To view the full results from Saturday, April 14th use the following link:
http://www.salinahighbanksspeedway.com/profile/schedule/results.aspx?r=236034&rt=sch
Submitted By: Elizabeth Davis
