Slaughter finds the US Speedo Winners Circle

Billy Luckhurst got a great run out of turn two to grab the early lead in the US Speedo Takeover 25 for the National Compact Touring Series. The action was slowed immediately when Cliff Bennet slowed on the backstretch. Luckhurst took off from his top spot on the restart with Blake Gokee and Pat Dent in tow. A caution two laps later created another restart with Luckhurst choosing to start outside of Blake Gokee. Luckhurst held the advantage down the backstretch but Gokee made a power move into three on the inside. The two cars touched slightly on the front straight and allowed Will Slaughter to get to second as he avoided Pat Dent, who made contact with the back of Luckhurst. As the field stayed green, Clayton Oliver tucked in behind Slaughter and the duo then split Gokee with Slaughter going high and Oliver going low. The caution flew as that happened for a hard hit into the backstretch wall by Pat Dent. Slaughter took command of the restart as Oliver, Dan Rigoni, and fast qualifier Powell came through to get by Gokee. Oliver tried looking high and low on Slaughter and was able to get alongside the #0 on lap 18. The two raced side by side as they approached lapped traffic entering turn three and made contact on the front stretch as they were boxed in by the slower traffic. Oliver slid up the banking in turn one but kept in the gas and the car straight as Slaughter maintained the lead. The winner back on May 27th, Slaughter was never challenged again as the driver of the Justice Fence Company/Bonefied Customs car picked up his second Birch Run Speedway victory. Dan Rigoni got by Oliver for second with Ray Powell and Blake Gokee completing the top five.

Credit: Chuck Darling