9/7/2017
Salina Highbanks Speedway
Who to watch: Final two points races loom with Championships in the balance
Only two races remain for competitors chasing Salina Highbanks Speedway track points under the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series banner. All four divisions remain hotly contested, each with their own storyline that lead us to the colossal finish of the 2017 points season.
Pure Stock
Leader: Justin Walters
Contenders: Brett Testerman, Brennon Lacy
2015 Track Champion Justin Walters is making a solid run at a second title. Fresh off a $500 victory, his first win since the 2015 campaign, Walters has stretched his advantage over second place to 61 points. Brett Testerman, who once led in the standings with one win on the season, holds down the runner-up spot over the winningest driver in the division, Brennon Lacy. Although Lacy has missed three of the fifteen contested events this season, the youngster who leads the way in UNOH Youth Achievement Award points is still in the realm of conversation for a points championship. However, the hill is steep as Lacy sits essentially one race behind, 102 markers back from the lead.
Super Stock
Leader: Dale Richardson
Contender: Jeff Metcalf
The Super Stock division boasts the closest points chase with a two-car battle between a pair of talented veterans. Dale Richardson holds a narrow 13-point advantage over Jeff Metcalf. Simply put, it is a battle between the very best to the very end. Richardson has clicked off five feature wins this season to Metcalf’s two. Metcalf, the 2015 Track Champion who has won the most Grand National/Super Stock features since the track’s reopening, will look to experience in the home stretch in hopes of derailing Richardson’s remarkable season.
B-Mod
Leader: Cody Jolly
Contender: Jeran Frailey
If you were to ask most fans if there is a mathematical possibility the B-Mod division championship could be contested to the final two races, their answer would likely be, “no.” Most would assume Cody Jolly has a title in the bag. But, despite winning over half of the features this season, things are not quite settled. Jeran Frailey has managed to stay within 48 points of Jolly. Frailey’s long-time experience at the Highbanks is invaluable, but certainly not unmatched, as both strong performances and luck will be needed to keep a B-Mod Championship from returning to the Show-Me state for the third straight year. Jolly will also look to keep overwhelming command of NWAAS Division II National Championship Points in closing out 2017.
Modified
Leader: Mitch Keeter
Contender: Al Purkey
Mitch Keeter lit the Modified division on fire at Humboldt Speedway to open the season winning four of the first six points races as well as a USMTS event there. However, that success did not translate to the Highbanks – at least, immediately. It took until mid-August for Keeter to win his first A-Main in Salina. In doing so, Keeter took the lead from then-point leader Al Purkey, who also missed that evening’s program due to a personal scheduling conflict. Purkey, a perennial heavy hitter in regional Late Model racing, has been a hired gun this season racing for a Modified track championship. Although he successfully grinded out consistent runs to build a lead, it all vanished in just one week with his absence. Now he will change from the defensive to the offensive in a hasty attempt to whittle away at Keeter’s 85-point advantage with just two races to go.
September 9th will be the next points event, while champions will be crowned on September 16th during Buddy’s Home Furnishings Championship Night. For complete standings in each division go to http://www.salinahighbanksspeedway.com/points/.
Submitted By: Elizabeth Davis
