Ponderosa Speedway
Brad Neat grabs $2,500 victory at Ponderosa
By Michael Despain
Ponderosa Speedway
Brad Neat picked up $2,500 at Ponderosa Speedway. (Hilary Ballard)
JUNCTION CITY, Ky. (April 14) — Brad Neat's mid-race pass gave him a lead he'd never give up Saturday at Ponderosa Speedway in racing to a 50-lap victory in the Chris Estes/Brad Pena Memorial. Neat earned $2,500.
Dustin Linville of Bryantsville, Ky., who led the first 26 laps at the 3/8-mile oval, finished second with the winner's older brother Dustin Neat of Dunnville in third. Greg Johnson of Bedford, Ind., and Michael Chilton of Salvisa, Ky., rounded out the top five as Ponderosa wrapped up a two-race weekend.
Linville jumped into into the early lead with Johnson and Brad Neat giving chase. The trio began lapping cars after eight laps and, by lap 15, heavy traffic developed before a caution reset the field one lap later.
Back under way, Linville stayed in control while Brad Neat got around Johnson and set his sights on the leader. Neat began challenging Linville for the lead on the 22nd lap, and the two were virtually side-by-side for the top spot on lap 26.
Neat took command a lap later and was out front through a series of three cautions over the next dozen laps. The final caution on lap 38 set up a 12-lap raced to the checkers, and Neat stayed in control for his second victory of the season.
Notes: Neat's Bandit Race Car is powered by a Cornett Racing Engine and sponsored by Red Buck, Neat’s Service Center and Begley’s General Store. ... Dustin Neat, who won the previous night's Spring 30 for a $1,500 payday, rallied Saturday to get back to third after tangling with a lapped car and going to the rear of the field. ... The three-car pileup on the first start forced a restart. ... Jeremy Hines of Seymour, Ind., advanced from his 14th starting spot to finish sixth. ... The night's other feature winners: J.T. Ayers of New Haven, Ky., in the modifieds and Donnie Sullivan of Stanford, Ky., in the sportsman division. ... Ponderosa's April 20 program includes the Indiana Late Model Series, a series for Crate Late Models (Super Late Models aren't in action).
Chris Estes/Brad Pena Memorial: (1) Brad Neat, (2) Dustin Linville, (3) Dustin Neat, (4) Greg Johnson, (5) Michael Chilton, (6) Jeremy Hines, (7) Victor Lee, (8) Chad Stapleton, (9) Stephen Breeding, (10) Joey Daniel, (11) Jeff Watson, (12) Greg Kendall, (13) D.J. Wells, (14) Wesley Brummett, (15) Tyler Allen, (16) Zane Powell, (17) Tommy Carlton, (18) Clarence Belcher, (19) Justin Rattliff, (20) Mike Jewell, (21) Kevin Colston, (22) Tim Prince, (23) Buzz Williams, (24) Dean Boyd. Fast qualifier (among 26 cars): B. Neat, 13.858 seconds. Heat race winners: Wells, D. Neat, Johnson. Consolation winner: Colston.
