June 19
Salina Highbanks Speedway,
Salina, OK
Sanction: Lucas Oil Midwest LateModel Racing Association (Freedom Classic) - $5,000
Information provided by: Series and track reports (last updated June 20, 8:13 am)
Stovall wires $5,000 Freedom Classic at Salina
Freedom Classic
- Jesse Stovall
- Tony Jackson Jr.
- Tony Toste
- Kylan Garner
- Chris Kratzer
- Steve Stultz
- Brennon Willard
- Reid Millard
- Mark Daye
- Dustin Bolster
- Jason Redman
- Jason Papich
- Justin Duty
- Joey Smith
- Garrett Alberson
- Cory Green
- Dalton Cloyd
- Danny Miller
- Jeremiah Hurst
- Daniel Hilsabeck
- Mason Oberkramer
Jesse Stovall streaks toward a $5,000 victory in Salina, Okla.
What won the race: Second-starting Jesse Stovall of Billings, Mo., led all 40 laps Saturday at Salina Highbanks Speedway. earning the Lucas Oil Midwest LateModel Racing Association's eighth annual Freedom Classic feature victory and collecting $5,000. He beat Tony Jackson Jr. to the finish line by 1.043 seconds to secure his fifth career eagle trophy at the Oklahoma track.
Quotable: "With about three to go there I lost my right-rear and I seen Tommy Boy (crew chief Tommy Rogers) giving me the (signal) sticks that Tony (Jackson) come to me pretty quick there," said Stovall. "I don’t know what happened there, why I lost grip but I just lost grip. I thought I threw the tread off my tire, but the tread is still pretty decent so I don’t know. We’ll take ‘em as you get ‘em ... they are pretty hard to get as everyone here knows."
Key notes: Stovall earned his second MLRA triumph of 2021 and the 28th of his career, giving him sole possession of sixth on the tour's all-time win list and his fifth career series victory at Salina Highbanks. ... Stovall, whose crew stayed up until 3 a.m. after Friday's Salina opener to change engines, noted that he's still getting accustomed to his new-to-him Capital Race Car but praised the chassis brand's owner, Marshall Green, for the help he's offered him. ... Jackson's runner-up outing was his seventh MLRA podium finish of the season and extended his points lead. ... Third-place Tony Toste recorded his second MLRA podium of '21 while fourth-place Kylan Garner and fifth-place Chris Kratzer tallied career-best MLRA finishes. ... The A-main was slowed by six separate incidents and lasted 33 minutes; five competitors completed all 40 laps. ... Among the contenders experiencing trouble were polesitter Jason Papich (flat tire on lap 32) and Garrett Alberson (mechanical woes on lap 13).
On the move: Kylan Garner of Sarcoxie, Mo., started 12th and finished fourth.
Winner's sponsors: Stovall’s Capital Race Car is powered by a Scott Bailey Racing Engine and sponsored by Dirt Track Bank, Swafford’s Service, Metal Magic Auto Hail Repair, Lucas Oil, Midwest Sheet Metal and J.J. Propane.
Points chase: Jackson ended the weekend leading the standings by 270 points.
Current weather: Clear, 75°F
Car count: 21
Fast qualifier: Jason Papich
Time: 15.209 seconds
Polesitter: Jason Papich
Heat race winners: Jason Papich, Jesse Stovall, Garrett Alberson
Next series race: June 25, Deer Creek Speedway (Spring Valley, MN) $12,000
Editor's note: Results and race details are unofficial.