Jackson opens Lebanon Midway Speedway seaspon with strong win


Defending Out-Pace USRA B-Mod National Champion Kris Jackson of Lebanon flexed his muscle after a hard, two-2 lap, door-to-door battle with Iowa’s Cole Denner, took command on lap 6 and then pulled away for the win.

With a three-row inversion drawn from the qualifying heats, Denner and Arkansas driver Kelly Hicks brought the field to the green with Denner grabbing the opening shot and Hicks in hot pursuit as Jackson, along with defending track champion Sam Petty, were working traffic from the third row.

Nevada, Mo., top gun Matt Rose was in the mix early along with Robbie Ewing but Denner, in his first visit to Midway, saw his lead dwindle down as Jackson was working the middle lane smoothly.

Hicks was having a great early run in a three-way battle with Rose and Petty as Ewing, Mitchell Franklin and Tyler Knudtson were jockeying for spots.

The only caution waved on lap 11 as Ewing and Dillion McCowan made contact in turn 1, ending both drivers' night while running in a five-car battle for sixth place. On the restart, Jackson kicked it in high gear and left the race for second battle as Petty had finally got around Rose. With two laps to go, Petty moved around Hicks while Denner held back his charge to secure the runner-up spot.

Behind Jackson it was Denner, Petty, Hicks and Knudtson with Franklin, Ryan Lewis, Rose, second-generation driver Dayton Pursley and Brian Myers completing the top 10. Qualifying heats went to Jackson and Petty.

Despite heavy rain Thursday, the track crew was able to get the grounds ready with over 75 cars in the pits and a strong opening night crowd on hand.

Summit USRA Weekly Racing Series action for Out-Pace USRA B-Mods continues next Friday night, April 12, with racing at 8 p.m.

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OFFICIAL RESULTS
United States Racing Association
Summit USRA Weekly Racing Series
Lebanon Midway Speedway, Lebanon, Mo.
Friday, April 5, 2019

Showing finishing position, starting position in parentheses, car number and driver.

OUT-PACE B-MODS

Feature:
1. (5) 65 Kris Jackson
2. (1) 02 Cole Denner
3. (6) 9 Sam Petty
4. (2) 32h Kelly Hicks
5. (8) 8k Tyler Knudtson
6. (7) F1 Mitchell Franklin
7. (11) 7x Ryan Lewis
8. (3) 101 Matt Rose
9. (10) 10p Dayton Pursley
10. (13) 16m Brian Myers
11. (4) 32e Robbie Ewing
12. (9) 8 Dillion McCowan
13. (14) 28 Wesley Briggs
14. (12) 58m Jamie Mauk
DNS – 29 Dalton Keith