(PETERSEN MEDIA)- Saturday night at the Kokomo Speedway, Rico Abreu won a hard fought 40-lap Dirt Classic Indiana feature event as he bested a stout field of Arctic Cat All Star Circuit of Champions to earn a berth in the upcoming Dirt Classic Ohio, as well as the September 24th $20,000-to-win, $1,000-to-start Dirt Classic.
Based on points tabulated from Friday night’s finish as well as two heat races on Saturday night, Dirt Classic Indiana Prelude winner, Christopher Bell would line up on the front row of the 40-lap feature event aboard the potent Tony Stewart Racing No. 14 machine, alongside a red hot Sheldon Haudenschild who piloted his Haudenschild Racing No. 93.
With Haudenschild getting out to the early lead over Bell and Abreu, his progress would be halted as early as the second lap as a pair of stoppages would hamper the flow of the feature event.
As the race resumed, Haudenschild would break away form the field as St. Helena, CA driver, Rico Abreu made a big move to get around Bell on lap four to take over the second spot.
In true Haudenschild fashion, Sheldon would take a liking to the beefy curb built up around the speedway, as he would soon see his lead begin to shrink as he found himself nearing the rear of the field.
Though in thick traffic, Haudenschild would keep Abreu at bay, though the Californian was doing all he could passing numerous cars at a time trying to cut into the Ohio pilot’s lead.
On the 24th circuit, Abreu would bring the crowd to their feet, as he would slide up in front of the younger Haudenschild to take command of the feature event with just 16 laps left in the race.
The final 16 laps of the feature event would see a pair of stoppages slow the race, but Abreu remained poised out front as he raced his way to the exciting win.
Behind Abreu things got exciting coming to the stripe as a four car battle would ensue for the final two podium positions with Jamie Veal finishing second, Chad Kemenah taking third, Haudenschild finishing fourth, and Bell rounding out the Top-Five.
With the win, Abreu pocketed the $12,500 that came with the win, and also earned a berth in the $10,000-to-win Dirt Classic Ohio set fro September 3rd at the Attica Raceway Park, as well as the Dirt Classic set for September 24th at Lincoln Speedway in Pennsylvania. Abreu joins fellow Golden Ticket recipients Terry McCarl and Greg Hodnett in the $20,000-to-win, $1,000-to-start Dirt Classic event.
The Dirt Classic Indiana finale would run a duel heat race program on Saturday night and wins would go to Brady Bacon, Danny Holtgraver, Jamie Veal, Chad Kemenah, Kraig Kinser, Dave Blaney, Kody Kinser, and Carl Bowser.
With the Top-20 in points locking into the feature event, the duration of the 36-car field would make up the B Main with TJ Michael taking top honors.
ON TAP- The next Dirt Classic event will be Dirt Classic Ohio at the Attica Raceway Park on September 3rd.
LOCKED IN- Terry McCarl (Dirt Classic I-80, May 6th) Greg Hodnett (Dirt Classic Showcase, June 11th), Rico Abreu (Dirt Classic Indiana, July 23rd).
STAY CONNECTED- Stay updated with all things Dirt Classic by clicking over to www.DirtClassic.com, Liking https://www.facebook.com/thedirtclassic, or following @dirtclassic on Twitter.
JOIN THE TEAM- The ever-growing Dirt Classic is always looking to bring on new marketing partners. If you are interested in becoming a part of any future events please email race@dirtclassic.com, or contact Jarrod Adams at 704- 996-4243.
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