Natural Bridge Speedway
Merkel spans Natural Bridge for $2,000 victory
Kyle Merkel visits victory lane. (Clifford Dove)
NATURAL BRIDGE, Va. (Sept. 11) — Kyle Merkel of Gilbertsville, Pa., led the final 13 laps Saturday at Natural Bridge Speedway for his second victory of the season on the Cline Construction Co. Steel Block Bandits tour. Merkel earned $2,000.
Mark Parks of Forest, Va., led from the outset, but as Merkel made his winning move, Parks slipped up and spun by himself to draw a caution. Merkel led the rest of the way, crossing the finish line ahead of consolation races winners Walker Arthur of Forest, Va., and Joey Leavell of Waynesboro, Va. Bruce Kane was fourth and C.S. Fitzgerald III, who ran was high as second, rounded out the top five.
Gerald Davis of Delray, W.Va., had the second spot after the departure of Parks, but he lost a shock and went over the turn-three banking and out of the event.
Steel Block Bandits @ Natural Bridge: (1) Kyle Merkel, (2) Walker Arthur, (3) Joey Leavell, (4) Bruce Kane, (5) C.S. Fitzgerald III, (6) Ricky Wells, (7) Kristian Looney, (8) Chris Barger, (9) Ricky Knight, (10) Allen Brannon, (11) Tanner Kerr, (12) Andy Fries, (13) Mark Parks, (14) David Bennett, (15) John Michael, (16) Gerald Davis, (17) Daniel Brown Jr., (18) Gerald Wolfe, (19) Bubby Tharp, (20) Glen Elliott, (21) David Keith, (22) Tim Stainaker, (23) Michael Aldermen, (24) Chris Cromer, (25) Kris Eaton. Heat race winners (among 44 cars): Merkel, Parks, Kane, Barger. Consolation winners: Leavell, Arthur.
