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Michael Moats
SEYMOUR, Tenn. (October 23) - The 4th annual O'Reilly Steelhead Championship at 411 Motor Speedway in Seymour, Tennessee provided plenty of drama and excitement as 41 late models were on hand for the $2,500 winner's check. When the dust settled, 19 year-old Ryan King picked up his biggest career win.
Race Photos - Steelhead Championship at 411 Motor Speedway
In qualifying action, Bobby Giffin of Maryville, Tennessee showed he was the man to beat by turning in a new track record with a lap of 13.90 seconds. That beat out David Crabtree of Maryville.
After the heat race and B-main action was completed, the 20-car field was set to take the green. Crabtree used the outside line to grab the early lead from Giffin. King, Rusty Ballenger, and Greg Martin were locked in a tight battle for third position. King separated himself from the group and began to pressure Giffin for second.
The race's first caution came on lap 9 for Pierce McCarter's spin in turn 4. When the field returned to green, Crabtree once again pulled away from Giffin. King pulled alongside Giffin for second, but Giffin used the high line to retain the position. Crabtree and Giffin began to pull away from the rest of the field. Giffin reeled in Crabtree and began to look underneath for the lead.
A little deeper in the field, Mark Leach, Mark Vineyard, and Jason Cardwell exchanged some sheet metal as the trio looked to make their way to the front. On lap 21, Cardwell slowed to bring out the second caution.
On the restart, Crabtree and Giffin battled for the lead coming off turn 2. Crabtree held the top spot until he slowed four laps later coming off turn 4. Crabtree began to pull inside and made contact with Giffin who was looking underneath for the top spot.
With half the race in the books, Giffin was the new leader. On the restart, Giffin surged ahead of King by four car lengths. But King quickly closed back in on the rear bumper of Giffin. King pressured Giffin for the lead, but Giffin held his line and kept the lead.
After a series of cautions, it was Giffin, King, Ballenger, Brad Lowe, and Mark Vineyard in the top 5. Vineyard would soon drop out and moved reigning track champion Josh Collins into the top 5 with 8 laps remaining when the race's final caution waved.
Giffin and King resumed their battle for the lead when the race returned to green. King remained under Giffin and looked to finally be in position to make a pass. But King made slight contact with Giffin in turn 4 and nearly lose control. But King gathered in back in and held on to second position. From there, Giffin comfortably crossed the finish line for an apparent win. Collins got by Lowe and Ballenger on the last two laps to finish in third.
Following the race, King protested Giffin. After a few minutes to think about it, Giffin decided not to have his engine torn down. That handed the win to King. Collins was credited for second, followed by Ballenger, Lowe, and Clyde Stanton rounding out the top 5.
O'Reilly Steelhead Championship Results:
1.(3) #30-Ryan King
2.(7) #16-Josh Collins
3.(4) #29-Rusty Ballenger
4.(6) #1-Brad Lowe
5.(14) #74-Clyde Stanton
6.(18) #12-Barrett Terry
7.(20) #7-Heath Alvey
8.(19) #51-Mack McCarter
9.(17) #32-Greg Huskey
10.(12) #4-Mark Vineyard
11.(10) #71-Pierce McCarter
12.(5) #24-Greg Martin
13.(16) #129-Jason Welshan
14.(15) #21-Eric Tipton
15.(11) #2X-Anthony White
16.(2) #C5-David Crabtree
17.(9) #07-Jason Cardwell
18.(8) #66-Mark Leach
19.(13) #90J-Jason Trammel
DQ'd-#97-Bobby Giffin refused teardown
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