NCRA Great Plains Late Models
Hutchinson Raceway Park
July 15, 2011
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Fortney Claims NCRA Late Model Portion of Hutchinson Grand Nationals

by David Smith Jr.
HUTCHINSON, Kansas (July 15) - Brad Fortney sat back and watched the leaders take themselves out and then held on the final four laps to claim the late model portion of the 55th annual Hutchinson Grand Nationals Friday night as the National Championship Racing Association of Park City, Kansas presented by Smiley’s Racing Products DIRTCar Great Plains late model series competed on the big fairgrounds half mile oval atop the Kansas State Fairgrounds.

Current series point’s leader Steve Kempt of Shelton, Nebraska looked to be in control of the 15 lap championship feature but a four car pileup in the closing laps allowed Jimmy Seagraves to close on the leader’s bumper on the restart.

Seagraves gave chase to Kempt and with four laps to go as the leader were entering lapped traffic, both drivers made contact sending both into a spin into the turn one infield to bring out the caution and sending both drivers to the back of the field on the restart.

From there all Fortney had to do was hang on and that he did as he picked up his first career “Mid-Summer Classic” and series victory.

Dave Conkwright came home second, followed by Ronnie Warman, Gary Gorby and Brad Wagoner. Kempt would come back from the tail of the field to finish sixth.

1st Heat: 1) Brad Fortney 2) Steve Kempt 3) Eric Main 4) Vince Wagoner 5) Rick Leatherman 6) William Keeney 7) Earl Kinderknecht

2nd Heat: 1) Jimmy Seagraves 2) Dave Conkwright 3) Gary Gorby 4) Ronnie Warman 5) Wylan Petrie 6) Brad Wagoner

A Feature: 1) Brad Fortney 2) Dave Conkwright 3) Ronnie Warman 4) Gary Gorby 5) Brad Wagoner 6) Steve Kempt 7) Wylan Petrie 8) Vince Wagoner 9) Earl Kinderknecht 10) Rick Leatherman 11) Jimmy Seagraves 12) William Keeney 13) Eric Main