Ponderosa Speedway
Lee overtakes Chilton, claims $3,000 at Ponderosa
Victor Lee celebrates his $3,000 victory. (dt52photos.com)
JUNCTION CITY, Ky. (May 24) — Victor Lee of Danville, Ky., overtook racelong leader Michael Chilton of Salvisa, Ky., with five laps remaining in Friday night’s inaugural Spring Showdown main event on his way to earning a $3,000 victory in an unsanctioned special for Ponderosa Speedway’s Good Neighbor Pharmacy Super Late Model division.
Lee claimed his third victory of the season in leading Chilton and Brad Neat of Dunnville, Ky., to the finish. Justin Rattliff of Campbellsville, Ky., finished fourth in the 40-lap race with Mike Jewell of Scottsburg, Ind. | Slideshow
Chilton took the initial race lead, with Lee in hot pursuit, followed by Neat, Rattliff, and Greg Johnson of Bedford, Ind. The front duo of Chilton and Lee pulled away from Neat during the early laps and began lapping slower traffic on lap six.
Lee turned up the heat on Chilton as the pair raced side-by-side for the top lead on lap 12 amid heavy traffic before a caution for debris slowed the pace on lap 14. As action resumed, Chilton and Lee again pulled away, while Johnson got by Rattliff for fourth and took third from Neat on lap 17.
Lap 19 saw Dustin Linville get by Rattliff to make his way into the top five, while Johnson began to run down the leaders. However, Johnson’s run would go sour when he clipped a tire barrier entering turn one battling Lee for second and spun into the path of fifth-running Linville, ending both drivers’ night.
Chilton and Lee again motored away from the field on the final restart and caught backmarkers just a few laps later. Lee finally made the winning move on lap 35, using a lapped car as a pick exiting turn two and to grab the top spot from Chilton.
Notes: Lee drives a Kevin Ison-owned Revelution Chassis powered by a Day’s Racing Engine and sponsored by JAACO Mining, Xtreme Style Signs and Screenprinting, JAY Construction and Restoration, Quality Auto and Truck Accessories, Hatcher’s Auto Sales, French Homes, Wild Cody’s Gun and Ammo, Fire Department Service and Supply, Carrier’s Garage and Schaeffer’s Racing Oil. ... Lee’s previous victories this season came in weekly action April 13 at Lake Cumberland Speedway in Burnside, Ky., and May 4 at 201 Speedway in Sitka, Ky. ... Friday’s races was held in conjunction with the $3,000-to-win Rain Dodger 40 set for Saturday at nearby Richmond (Ky.) Raceway. The driver that accumulating the most points between the two events will receive a $500 bonus. ... Tyler Allen of Columbus, Ind., claimed the night’s FASTRAK Crate Late Model feature, earning $800 for his first victor of the season.
Spring Showdown: (1) Victor Lee, (2) Michael Chilton, (3) Brad Neat, (4) Justin Rattliff, (5) Mike Jewell, (6) Chris Combs, (7) David Webb, (8) Jeremy Hines, (9) Jeff Watson, (10) Johnny Wheeler, (11) Jason Barrett, (12) Clarence Belcher, (13) Tommy Carlton, (14) Bartley Grant, (16) Ernie Cordier, (17) Greg Johnson, (18) Dustin Linville, (19) Doug Smith, (20) Wesley Brummett, (21) Timmy Taylor. Fast qualifier: Chilton. Heat winners: Chilton, Lee, Rattliff.
