Lake Cumberland Speedway
Stapleton streaks to $3,000 Lake Cumberland victory
By Michael Despain
Lake Cumberland Speedway
Chad Stapleton celebrates his flag-to-flag victory. (dt52photos.com)
BURNSIDE, Ky. (May 27) — Fight off a few challenges amid traffic, outside front-row starter Chad Stapleton of Edinburgh, Ind., led all the way Sunday in Lake Cumberland Speedway’s McGowan Excavating 40, a tuneup for next month’s Lake Cumberland Classic. | Slideshow
Stapleton turned back bids by runner-up Dillan White of Crofton, Ky., for the $3,000 victory at the tight 3/8-mile oval for the richest victory of his career. Behind Stapleton and White, Michael Asbyerry of Crossville, Tenn., was third followed by Chris Combs of Isom, Ky., and Jeremy Hines of Seymour, Ind.
Polesitter Aaron Ridley of Chatsworth, Ga., and Stapleton led the field to the green flag with Stapleton getting the jump on Ridley, White, Victor Lee and Asberry. The top five held until Steve Elliott’s lap-eight spin drew the first yellow.
White went to work on Ridley on the restart, taking the second spot on lap 14 and chasing down Stapleton amid traffic before Elliott rolled to a stop in turn one for another caution.
With Stapleton and White pulling away, Asberry took the third spot on lap 33 when Ridley got into the wall, slowing moments later for a lap-35 yellow. Another quick caution appeared when 16th-starting Dustin Neat, up to fifth, spun in turn three.
Stapleton kept White in check the final laps to wrap up the victory.
Notes: Stapleton’s Rocket Chassis is powered by a Jay Dickens Racing Engine and sponsored by Rightway Construction, Skeletor Core, K&L Machining and Dirt Racing Connection. ... The victory was Stapleton's fourth of the season overall. ... Fast qualifier Johnny Wheeler picked up $100 from the Tateville Volunteer Fire Department. ... Stephen Breeding was added to the feature lineup after heat race transferree Anthony Adams scratched. ... Among drivers failing to make the feature lineup: Doug Smith, Skylar Marlar, Freddie Brock, Steve Stollings and Danny Hatcher. ... Other division winners: Joe Godsey (modifieds), Keith Decker (sportsman) and Adam Gregory (front-wheel drive). ... The 22nd annual Mac Metal Sales Lake Cumberland Classic, a $10,000-to-win event, is scheduled for June 15-16.
McGowan Excavating 40 Lake Cumberland Classic Tuneup: (1) Chad Stapleton, (2) Dillan White, (3) Michael Asberry, (4) Chris Combs, (5) Jeremy Hines, (6) Joey Daniel, (7) Johnny Wheeler, (8) Joe King, (9) Stephen Breeding, (10) Dustin Neat, (11) Aaron Ridley, (12) Victor Lee, (13) Duane Chamberlain, (14) Larry Greer, (15) Todd Coffman, (16) Steve Elliott, (17) Tyler Allen, (18) Wesley Ball. Fast qualifier (among 29 cars): Wheeler, 13.532 seconds. Heat race winners: Ridley, Stapleton, Lee. Consolation winner: Ball.
