Ballou wins nonwing race at I-80 Speedway

BY TODD HENRICHS / Lincoln Journal Star

GREENWOOD — Robert Ballou phoned home to tell his family he was pulling the wing off his sprint car on Tuesday. But if his fourth nonwing race was any indication, he may put the wrenches away.

The Rocklin, Calif., driver put a masterful slide job on pole-sitter Bud Kaeding to take the lead on lap 14 and drove away to claim the win the Huskerland Non-Wing Nationals at I-80 Speedway.

Ballou, who ran sixth in Saturday’s D feature at the Knoxville Nationals, outperformed nonwing veterans including Kaeding, Jon Stanbrough, Levi Jones and Cory Kruseman, who came into Tuesday’s event leading the Sprint Bandit points standings.

The Bandits’ Tour ‘N Topless series moves to Wichita, Kan., tonight.

In Tuesday’s preliminary feature, reigning ASCS Midwest Region champion Billy Alley was in a class of his own. Driving the Burch Motorsports No. 1M from the pole position, Alley accumulated a full straightaway lead just seven laps in and cruised to an easy victory over fellow Knoxville Raceway regular Jeff Mitrisin.

Meanwhile, it was rough going behind Alley. Running second, Jack Dover came to a stop on a lap-seven restart, handing the runner-up spot over to Mike Chadd. Then on lap 14, Chadd squeezed into the wall in turns three and four and went to the work area with a flat tire.

With Dover’s troubles, Toby Chapman looked to be in position to clinch the Midwest Region points title with one event remaining. But running in the top 10, Chapman experienced problems that forced him to the pits on lap 11.

Unofficially, Chapman finished 17th, one spot ahead of Dover.

Tuesday’s leading finishers in the ASCS divisions:

SPRINT BANDIT 410s: 1. Robert Ballou; 2. Bud Kaeding; 3. Jon Stanbrough; 4. Levi Jones; 5.

MIDWEST REGION 360s: 1. Billy Alley; 2. Jeff Mitrisin; 3. Justin Henderson; 4. Rick Ideus; 5. Mark Pace.